Figure 1.--Two Italian Balilla (or perhaps Vanguards) host a Hitler youth boy. While there are a number of images like this, we know of no real cooperative activities between the two groups.

We know of no organized effort to develop contacts with youth groups in other countries, even Fascist youth groups. This included the period before and after the War. Granted our information is very limited and we do not yet have any definitive information on this. There were other government-supported Fascist youth groups in neighboring countries, such as Spain and Greece After the Germans occupied Western European countries, several Fascist oriented youth programs were promoted. We know nothing about any contacts between the Balilla and these groups. The major issue here is the relationship with the Hitler Youth. We do note photographs of Hitler Youth and Ballial boys together. We are uncertain, however, just what these images represent. We are unsure if they were propaganda photographs are reflected real cooperation between the two groups. The available images look like boys meeting each other, but we do not see the boys participating in joint activities. We also have no idea how many boys were involved in exchanges. We note that "Nordic boys" were brought to German for summer camp and other activities from countries like Denmarth, the Netherlands, and Norway. We do not know if Italian boys in any number were brought ton Germany for Hitler Youth activities or German boys to Italy for Balilla activities.

Fascist Youth Cooperation

We know of no organized effort to develop contacts with youth groups in other countries, even Fascist youth groups. This included the period before and after the War. Granted our information is very limited and we do not yet have any definitive information on this.

Neighboring Countries

There were other government-supported Fascist youth groups in neighboring countries, such as Spain and Greece

Occupied Countries

After the Germans occupied Western European countries, several Fascist oriented youth programs were promoted. We know nothing about any contacts between the Balilla and these groups.

Hitler Youth

The major issue here is the relationship with the Hitler Youth. We do note photographs of Hitler Youth and Ballial boys together. We are uncertain, however, just what these images represent. We are unsure if they were propaganda photographs are reflected real cooperation between the two groups. The available images look like boys meeting each other, but we do not see the boys participating in joint activities. We also have no idea how many boys were involved in exchanges. We note that "Nordic boys" were brought to German for summer camp and other activities from countries like Denmarth, the Netherlands, and Norway. We do not know if Italian boys in any number were brought ton Germany for Hitler Youth activities or German boys to Italy for Balilla activities. We suspect that for racial reasons that the HJ was not enthusiastic about joint activities with the Balilla. We are less sure about Italian attitudes.