Figure 1.--These yearbooks seem more directed at topics tht would interest boys, but the Hitler Youth also included the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM). A healthy body was an important HJ theme.

The choice of topics is very interesting. There was a heavy military emphasis, notable for a country still at peace. The article on the HJ leadership reflects the role of the HJ in these yearbooks. I'm not sure yet just what the Führer Corps was. Rudolf Hess was the Deputy Führer. NAZIism was a form of Fascism a movement founded by Benito Mussolini in Italy. Mussolini was Hitler's principal European ally. He acquiesed in both the Anschlus and the Munich Conference. We assume that the article about Himilaya reflected Himmler's interest in the ancient Aryans and the archelogical expedition he sponsored. I'm not sure just what Langermarck was. I am not sure what "German Flyers Over Enemy Lands" was all about. Of course such an aticle would make sence after the War began. There was also an article about the Nattle of Torgau (1760). I'm not entorely sure why it was chosen. It was a victory aschieved bt Frederick the Great. One of the bloodiest battles of the Seven Years War. Also note the articles on science and technology. Germany even after World War I was a technology leader. Germans still dominted nobel prize awards. The strength of German science was one reason why Germany created so many advanced weapons during the War. NAZI educational reforms and persecution of Jews and intelectuals were undertmining the German scientific establishment. An impact that was felt by the country after the War. Unfortunately for the NAZIs, German industry during the War did not have the capacity to turn the technical inovations into reliable weapons and manufacture them in quantity. Germany fior example was aleader in color photography and television.

Created: 2:57 AM 12/31/2006
Last updated: 2:57 AM 12/31/2006