Figure 1.-- There was a HJ marine division. The 1942 edition of "Jungen: Eure Welt" was actually published in 1941. It focused heavily on the War. Notice the HJ pin on this boy's sailor cap. This boy by 1944 was very likely serving in a U-boat--one of the most dangerous places to be in World War II.

We note Volume V of Jungen: Eure Welt released in 1942. While the NAZIs had been stopped before Moscow, most of Europe was still in NAZI hands and the War was by no means lost. The volume, however, was prepared in 1941 when the NAZI armies were surging through the Soviet Union and many though that Barbarossa would be another stunning NAZI success. The volume had some color photographs. Germany at the rime was a leader in color photography. We note that the subtitle was changed, although we are not sure why. There are a range of material, including articles about "the HJ Leadership", "The War Work of the Hitler-Jugend", "The SS-Heimkehr Program" (SS Repatriation), "The Battle for Narvik", "The War in France", "The Balkan Campaign", "Victory at Dunkirk", "The Father of the Stuka", "West Africa", "Islam", "Catacombs", "Ships in a Bottle", "The Origins of Dogs and Horses", "The Universe", "Natural History", "Perpetual Motion", "The German Patent Office", "U-Boats, and "Thailand "(a chapter by Ralph Colin Ross). There were also projects and amusements that young people could make. This included a toy armoured vehicle. The book included artwork and maps, photographs including a full-color page of the Wehrmacht marching down the Champs Elysees in Paris. This was a very emotive scene. Germany had fought for over 4 years and lost hundreds of thiusands of men trying to accomplish in World War I and Hitler had accomplished it in only a few weeks of fighting with very light losses.

1941 Events

We note Volume V of Jungen: Eure Welt released in 1942. While the Wehrmacht had been stopped before Moscow, most of Europe was still in NAZI hands and the War was by no means lost. The volume, however, was prepared in 1941 when the NAZI armies were surging through the Soviet Union and many though that Barbarossa would be another stunning NAZI success. The book has articles about the many NAZI NAZIs successes, including Norway (1940), France (1940), anf the Balkans (1941). There is no mention of the Luftwaffe's failure over Britain (1940). Early NAZI successes were made possible in large measure by the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe's failure over Braitain might have given pause to many leaders. Hitler was frustrated by the Luftwaffe's failure, but it does not seem to have affected his strategic thinking. Books like this were meant to inspire and thus only articles about the German victories appear. While Hitler was frustrated with the Luftwaffe's failure, he was favorably impressed with the stunning successes of the U-boat service, something neither he or his admirals expected. Just before this book was released two najor events occurred. First Soviet Armies who the German people were told had been defeated stopped the Wehrmact before Moscow. At the same time, Germany's Axis ally, Japan, struck America. Within in days Hitler declared war on the United States.

Specifications

We note that the subtitle was changed. The subtitle was "Das Jungenjahrbuch". The former reference to the Hitler Youth was dropped. The book is very heavily illustrated. There is artwork, maps, and photographs including a few color photographs. There are over 470 pages. The size of the book is 6-3/4 x 9-3/4 inches. It was published by the Central Publishing House of the Nazi Party, Franz Eher Nachfolger GmbH in München (Munich), Germany in 1941.

Articles

There are a range of material, including articles about "the HJ Leadership" and "The War Work of the Hitler-Jugend". Articles about the HJ leadership were included in many of these books. Other topics included: "The SS-Heimkehr Program", "The Battle for Narvik", "The War in France", "The Balkan Campaign", "Victory at Dunkirk", "The Father of the Stuka", "West Africa", "Islam", "Catacombs", "Ships in a Bottle", "The Origins of Dogs and Horses", "The Universe", "Natural History", "Perpetual Motion", "The German Patent Office", "U-Boats, and "Thailand "(a chapter by Ralph Colin Ross).

Figure 2.--There was also a HJ air division. Many World War II color photographs or German. These yearbooks had a strong military focus even before the War started. After the War began there is a great deal of attention focused on military topics and the world. The plane here looks to be a ME-110, a two-engine fighter that proved to be a great dissapointment. During the Battle of Britain they required fighter protection just like the bombers. This photograph was probably taken during the opening phases of Barbarossa in 1941.

Choice of Topics

These yearbooks had a strong military focus even before the War started. After the War began there is a great deal of attention focused on military topics and the world. The book included a full-color page of the Wehrmacht marching down the Champs Elysees in Paris. This was a very emotive scene. Germany had fought for over 4 years and lost hundreds of thousands of men trying to accomplish in World War I and Hitler had accomplished it in only a few weeks of fighting with very light losses. Other notable NAZI victories are recounted, such as Narvik (Norway), a battle the NAZIs almost lost. There is an article about Dunkirk (1940). It is described as a great victory. The defeat of France surely was a great victory. No where does the article suggest that allowing the British Army yo escape had very substantial consequences for Germany. The swift Balkans campaign is also described in detail. Again the larger strategic consequences if delaying Barbarossa is not addressed. By the time these books were published, membership in the HJ was virtually compulsory so there are articlkes about the HJ, including one on the HJ war activities. In fact the HJ played a very important role in the War. There is an article about the The SS-Heimkehr Program". I am not famniliar with the program, but it appears to have been some kind of repatriaion program. There is an curious article about the Stuka. It seems a strange choice because the Stuka was largely obsolete by 1940. After some disaterous engagements over England, it was withdrawn from the Battle of Britain. During Barbarossa it regained nbew life beccause the Luftwaffe destroyed the Red Air Force. Without fighters to contend with, it proved an effective tank destroyer. There were many more effective planes in service at the time. Presumably the Stuka was chosen because it was so well known. And there was an article about U-boats which by 1941 and the acquisition of French Atlantic ports was becoming the most pressing threat to the British. The chapter on Thailand was written by Ralph Colin Ross. He was a youth who in 1941 participated in Barbarossa and was killed in Russia.

Color Photography

The volume had some rare color photographs of the War. This marked it as an expensive book. Germany in the 1930s was a industry leader in color photography. Color photographs of World war II are relatively rare. Many of the color images we have are German images. The U.S. Army in Europe used black and white film. Agfa when the War broke out was a real contender for Kodak in world markets and was in fact dominant in Europe. The War destroyed German industry and Agfa never recovered its once dominant position.

Projects

There were projects and amusements that young people could make. This included a toy armoured vehicle. It seems to be a rather complicated project. This was a wood project. Because of the War, production of metal toy ceased.

Created: 3:32 AM 12/31/2006
Last updated: 3:32 AM 12/31/2006