Edward Behrendt describes his experiences as a boy in Austria:

Let me respond, at least briefly, to Melinda's question for some details about the Hitler Youth. Incidentally, my information does not come from the movies or books or just talking to a couple of people about it. It comes from actually being there at the time and physically being involved and seeing what went on.

Variations

The severity and dedication of members or groups of Hitler Youth varied somewhat, depending upon the area or part of Germany involved. This was because of the different feelings and ideas of the adult leadership. The stricter or meaner the leaders were, the worse the Hitler Youth group thought and behaved. It was very much a "follow the leader" type organization, which was typical, at that time, of German behavior. In general, the very name of the organization will tell you that they existed in order to follow Hitler, and to carry out his ideas and commands. It was a very structured organization, with orders originating at the top in Berlin. Local youth groups carried out those commands and, in many cases, behaved even more drastically in order to show how good and dedicated to Hitler's cause they were.

Purpose

Like many dictators, Hitler and his immediate cohorts believed that it was vital to convert young children to their cause and believes. Basically that theory still holds true today. If you can capture the minds of young children and persuade them to become dedicated to your cause, your theory of the truth and your theory of what is right and wrong, then you can hold the whole country captive and you have complete control. That is what the NAZIs were after in establishing the Hitler Youth.

Approach

In trying to capture the minds, hearts and souls of young children, the NAZIs at first offered many incentives. Things that would fascinate and attract children, such as uniforms, knives, drums and bugles and much more. The next step was peer pressure. Telling them "your friends are members, why aren't you?", " You can't belong to our social group and have fun like we do, if you are not a member", "You have to sit at the back of the class or isolated in school somewhere if you are not a member". etc. etc. Later, far different motivations and persuasions were used.

Parents

The Hitler Youth soon were no longer real children, but more or less belonged to the State. It was not that unusual for kids to turn their own parents in to authorities if they caught them doing something not approved by the State. Many parents were severely punished and some sent to concentration camps and then death because their own children had turned them in to authorities.

Military Action

Toward the end of the war, shortly before Germany lost, they had practically run out of adult fighting men, and so Hitler and his immediate group started using Hitler Youth members as soldiers, and these kids then found themselves on the front line. Not only far too young, but little training, no experience, few weapons left, and facing an allied army that was determined to win regardless of the lives it might cost. It was suddenly tough on the kids, the glamour of being a member was gone, and many perished on the front lines.