Figure 1.--Here we see a World War II propaganda image. These Scouts are holding a poster showing the flags of the Allied nations participating in the war effort.

World War II broke out in Europe during September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. America entered in 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The NAZIs had abolished the Scout movement in Germany and Austria, absorbing it within the Hitler Youth movement. As the Whermacht invaded and occupied country after country, the Scout movement was banned or restricted in these countries. At home the Hitler Youth movement engaged in a variety of support activities, but as the war began to go aginst German they were used in Civil defense and to man anti-aircraft guns. Eventually whole units were formed with older Hitler Youth boys. In addition, Hitler Youth boys were used in the home guard, the Volkstrum, in hopeless to defend German cities. Many German boys, many very young, in these pointless actions. Scouts in occupied countries often supported or actively participate in the Resistance. Separated by the Atalntic Ocean from the Germans, World War II never touched America in the same way as theEuropeans. Boy Scouts in America were never involved in the combatent activities like the Hitler Youth in Germany. American boys did actively participate in a variety of useful activities. Several programs were, however, conducted by American Cubs and Scouts to support the war effort. The primary activity was collecting newspaper and materials needed for the war effort like scrap material and old tires to support America's vast industrial production effort which played such a major role in winning World War II. We have just begun to collect information on Scouting activities to support the War effort. I believe the Scouts were all involved in War Bond drives and in planting Victory Gardens.

The War

World War II broke out in Europe during September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. America entered in 1941 after the Japanese attack on Peal Harbor. The War was the most destructive and costly war in human history. Children were both participants and targets as well incidentl casualties of the fighting. Governments mobilized populations as never beffore. Thus youth organizations had major roles in the War, especially the Hitler Youth. Because of the rascist objectives of the NAZIs and Japanese, whole populations incluing children were targeted. Large numbers of countries were defeated and occupied, exposing the civilian population to the whims of bsarbaric occupation authorities.

Other Countries

Germany

The NAZIs had abolished the Scout movement in Germany and Austria, absorbing it within the Hitler Youth movement. As the Whermacht invaded and occupied country after country, the Scout movement was banned or restricted in these countries. At home the Hitler Youth movement engaged in a variety of support activities, but as the war began to go aginst German they were used in Civil defense and to man anti-aircraft guns. Eventually whole units were formed with older Hitler Youth boys. In addition, Hitler Youth boys were used in the home guard, the Volkstrum, in hopeless efforts to defend German cities. Many German boys, many very young, in these pointless actions.

Occupied countries

Scouts in occupied countries often supported or actively participate in the Resistance.

Britain

American Scouts

Separated by the Atalntic Ocean from the Germans, World War II never touched America in the same way as theEuropeans. Boy Scouts in America were never involved in the combatent activities like the Hitler Youth in Germany. American boys did actively participate in a variety of useful activities. Pamphlets and posters, radio broadcasts, newspapers, and cinematic productions were all used to help the U.S. government get across its message to American civilians during World War II that every person could and should contribute to the war effort. One important message was to conserve materials that were needed by the military. Scrap drives, buying war stamps and bonds, knitting afghans and sox for the soldiers, and planting victory gardens, were some of the activities for adults and children alike that were encouraged by the government. Schools and children's groups, like Boy and Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, were some of the most effective venues for these home front activities. American Cubs and Scouts participated iun several of these orograms to support the homefront war effort. The primary activity was collecting newspaper and materials needed for the war effort like scrap material and old tires to support America's vast industrial production effort which played such a major role in winning World War II. We have just begun to collect information on Scouting activities to support the War effort. I believe the Scouts were all involved in War Bond drives and in planting Victory Gardens.

Impact

The Boy Scouts were clearly active during the War, involved in a wide range of activities. We have not yet found, however, a real assessment of the importance of these activities. Clearly preparing packages for servicemen or collecting for relief activites were worth while humanitarian activities. We are not sure, however, just hpw important the eubber and scrap collections were and if they did have any measurable impact on the War effort.