Racial theory in Nazi Germany included the cult of a biologically healthy female body, the cult of childbirth and the multiplication of the nation. Thus, the very meaning of communication between a man and a woman was deprived of all romance, giving way to physiological expediency. There is an opinion that the “Aryan” standard of beauty is boring, monotonous and joyless - a muscular blond with a fixed lower jaw and a “snow queen” devoid of any piquancy.
National socialist propaganda used interest in the chastely naked human body to demonstrate the Aryan ideal of beauty and to educate a physically developed person. Marriage itself was not considered an end in itself; it served the highest task - the increase and preservation of the German nation. The personal lives of two people had to be consciously placed in the service of the state.
Antique, with its ideal perfection of forms, was chosen as the standard of beauty. The sculptors of the Third Reich - Joseph Thorach and Arno Brecker - strategically embodied the image of a superman in their monuments. Superhumans were simply obliged to resemble ancient gods and goddesses.
Stills from Olympia.
Sepp Hilz. Country Venus
E. Liebermann. By the water. 1941
In a perfect body, the visual arts of National Socialism embodied the idea of “blood” (nation). “Blood” in the ideology of National Socialism was directly connected with “soil” (earth). In this case, we were talking about the symbiosis of people and land, as well as their material and mystical connection. In general, the idea of “blood and soil” was addressed to pagan symbols of fertility, strength and harmony, expressing nature itself in human beauty.
National Socialist art attached great importance to the theme of family, women and motherhood. In the Third Reich, this value triad merged into a single whole, where a woman was exclusively the continuer of the family, the bearer of family virtues and the keeper of the home.
As Hitler said: “German women want to be wives and mothers, they do not want to be comrades, as the Reds call for. Women have no desire to work in factories, in bureaus, in parliament. A good home, a beloved husband and happy children are closer to her heart.”
National Socialist fine art formed the image of a German woman exclusively as a mother and keeper of the family hearth, depicting her with children, in the circle of her family, busy with housework.
The National Socialists did not recognize any equality of women in public life - they were assigned only the traditional roles of mother and friend. "Their place is in the kitchen and bedroom." After coming to power, the Nazis began to view women's desire for professional, political or academic careers as unnatural. Already in the spring of 1933, the systematic liberation of the state apparatus from the women employed in it began. Not only female employees of institutions were fired, but also married female doctors, because the Nazis declared caring for the health of the nation such a responsible task that it could not be entrusted to a woman. In 1936, married women who worked as judges or lawyers were released from office, since their husbands could support them. The number of female teachers sharply decreased, and in women's schools, home economics and handicrafts became the main academic subjects. Already in 1934, there were only 1,500 female students left at German universities.
The regime pursued a more differentiated policy towards women employed in production and the service sector. The Nazis did not touch either the 4 million women who worked as “domestic helpers” or the large group of saleswomen whose working hours were not fully paid. On the contrary, these occupations were declared “typically feminine.” The work of girls was encouraged in every possible way. From January 1939, labor service became mandatory for all unmarried women under 25 years of age. They were mainly sent to the village or as servants to mothers with many children.
L. Shmutzler "Village girls returning from the fields"
Gender relations in the Hitlerite state were influenced by numerous public organizations. Some of them included women together with men, others were created specifically for women, girls and girls.
The most widespread and influential among them were the Union of German Girls (BDM), the Imperial Women's Youth Labor Service (Women's RAD) and the National Socialist Women's Organization (NSF). They covered a significant part of the female population of Germany: more than 3 million girls and young women were members of the BDM at the same time, 1 million young German women went through labor camps, the NSF had 6 million participants.
In accordance with the National Socialist ideology, the League of German Girls set as its task the education of strong and courageous women who would become comrades to the political soldiers of the Reich (raised in the Hitler Youth) and, having become wives and mothers, organizing their family life in accordance with the National Socialist worldview, will raise a proud and seasoned generation. The exemplary German woman complements the German man. Their unity means the racial revival of the people. The Union of German Girls instilled racial consciousness: a real German girl should be the guardian of the purity of blood and the people and raise his sons as heroes. Since 1936, all girls of the German Reich were required to be members of the Union of German Girls. The only exceptions were girls of Jewish origin and other “non-Aryans”.
The standard uniform of the Union of German Girls is a dark blue skirt, white blouse and black tie with a leather clip. Girls were prohibited from wearing high heels and silk stockings. Rings and wristwatches were allowed as jewelry.
The worldview, norms of behavior and lifestyle acquired in Nazi organizations influenced the way of thinking and actions of many representatives of the older generation of modern Germany for a long time.
When girls turned 17, they could also be accepted into the organization "Faith and Beauty" ("Glaube und Schöncheit"), where they remained upon reaching the age of 21. Here girls were taught housekeeping and prepared for motherhood and childcare. But the most memorable event with the participation of "Glaube und Schöncheit" was the sports round dances - girls in identical white short dresses, barefoot, entered the stadium and performed simple but well-coordinated dance movements. The women of the Reich were required to be not only strong, but also feminine.
The Nazis promoted the image of a “real German woman” and a “real German girl” who does not smoke, does not wear makeup, wears white blouses and long skirts, and wears her hair in braids or in a modest bun.
Also, the authorities, in accordance with the “Blood and Soil” principle, tried to introduce “tracht” into the quality of festive clothing - that is, a dress in the national style based on the Bavarian dress.
V. Wilrich. Daughter of a Bavarian peasant. 1938
Such stylized “national clothes” were worn by participants in the grandiose theatrical celebrations that the Nazis loved to organize in stadiums.
Sports and group games occupied a special place. If for boys the emphasis was on strength and endurance, then gymnastic exercises for girls were designed to develop grace, harmony and sense of body in them. Sports exercises were selected taking into account female anatomy and the future role of women.
The Union of German Girls organized camping trips, on which the girls went with full backpacks. At rest stops they lit fires, cooked food and sang songs. Night observations of the full moon with an overnight stay in a haystack were a success.
The image of the Hollywood “vamp”, which was popular in Weimar Germany, was particularly attacked by Nazi propaganda: “War paint is more appropriate for primitive black tribes, but in no case for a German woman or a German girl.” Instead, the image of “natural German female beauty” was promoted. However, it should be noted that these requirements did not apply to German actresses and movie stars.
Portrait of a woman from Tyrol
They perceived the image of the emancipated Berliner of the 20s as a threat to public morality, male dominance in society, and even the future of the Aryan race.
Even before the war, in many public places there were posters “German women do not smoke,” smoking was prohibited in all party premises and in air-raid shelters, and Hitler planned to ban smoking altogether after the victory. At the beginning of 1941, the Reich Association of Hairdressing Establishments adopted a directive that limited the length of women's hairstyles to 10 cm. So hairdressers did not do hairstyles with longer hair and could even shorten hair that was too long if it was not tied up in a modest bun or braided in a braids.
Christmas cover of one of the women's magazines. December 1938
The German press strongly emphasized that the outstanding successes of the magnificent actress and director Leni Riefenstahl or the famous athlete-aviator Hannah Reich are directly related to their deep belief in the ideals of National Socialism. The former actress Emma Goering and the mother of six Magda Goebbels, whose elegant toilets clearly showed German women that a true National Socialist had no need to dress in the modest uniform of the League of German Girls, were also declared role models.
Hannah Reich
Leni Riefenstahl
Magda Goebbels
Emma Goering
German women generally calmly accepted the policies being pursued towards them. The improved well-being of the population also contributed to the loyalty of German women to the new regime. This was also facilitated by the favorable demographic policy of the ruling party in support of the family. The Nazi regime was very interested in increasing the population. If a working woman got married and voluntarily left her job, she was given an interest-free loan of 600 marks. Since 1934, active promotion of the birth rate began: child and family benefits were introduced, medical care was provided to large families at preferential rates. Special schools were opened where pregnant women were prepared for future motherhood.
In any case, Germany became the only large European country in which the birth rate was constantly increasing. If in 1934 just over 1 million babies were born, then in 1939 there were already about 1.5 million children.
In 1938, the order “Mother's Cross” was established - in bronze, silver and gold. The inscription on the back of the cross read: “The child ennobles the mother.” According to the plan of the Ministry of Propaganda, women were to occupy the same place of honor among the people as front-line soldiers. Three degrees of honorary title were established - 3rd degree for 4 children, 2nd for children (silver), 1st for 8 children (gold).
Paradoxically, this anti-feminist regime contributed greatly to improving the real situation of women. It is therefore not surprising that the vast majority of women in Germany adored their Fuhrer. They were largely impressed by A. Rosenberg’s statement that “a woman’s duty is to support the lyrical aspect of life.”
While a lot has been written about the Hitler Youth and from different angles, the issue of raising girls in Nazi Germany is not so widely covered. Since 1936, all girls of the German Reich were required to join the ranks of the Union of German Girls. The only exceptions were girls of Jewish origin and other “non-Aryans”.
The standard uniform of the Union of German Girls is a dark blue skirt, white blouse and black tie with a leather clip.
Girls were prohibited from wearing high heels and silk stockings.
Rings and wristwatches were allowed as jewelry.
The worldview, norms of behavior and lifestyle acquired in Nazi organizations influenced the way of thinking and actions of many representatives of the older generation of modern Germany for a long time.
When girls turned 17, they could also be accepted into the organization "Faith and Beauty" ("Glaube und Schöncheit"), where they remained upon reaching the age of 21.
Here girls were taught housekeeping and prepared for motherhood and childcare.
But the most memorable event with the participation of "Glaube und Schöncheit" was the sports round dances - girls in identical white short dresses, barefoot, entered the stadium and performed simple but well-coordinated dance movements.
The women of the Reich were required to be not only strong, but also feminine.
The Nazis promoted the image of a “real German woman” and a “real German girl” who does not smoke, does not wear makeup, wears white blouses and long skirts, and wears her hair in braids or in a modest bun.
Also, the authorities, in accordance with the “Blood and Soil” principle, tried to introduce “tracht” into the quality of festive clothing - that is, a dress in the national style based on the Bavarian dress.
Such stylized “national clothes” were worn by participants in the grandiose theatrical celebrations that the Nazis loved to organize in stadiums.
Sports and group games occupied a special place.
If for boys the emphasis was on strength and endurance, then gymnastic exercises for girls were designed to develop grace, harmony and sense of body in them.
Sports exercises were selected taking into account female anatomy and the future role of women.
The Union of German Girls organized camping trips, on which the girls went with full backpacks.
At rest stops they lit fires, cooked food and sang songs.
Night observations of the full moon with an overnight stay in a haystack were a success.
The image of the Hollywood “vamp”, which was popular in Weimar Germany, was particularly attacked by Nazi propaganda: “War paint is more appropriate for primitive black tribes, but in no case for a German woman or a German girl.”
Instead, the image of “natural German female beauty” was promoted.
However, it should be noted that these requirements did not apply to German actresses and movie stars.
Even before the war, in many public places there were posters “German women do not smoke,” smoking was prohibited in all party premises and in air-raid shelters, and Hitler planned to ban smoking altogether after the victory.
At the beginning of 1941, the Reich Association of Hairdressers adopted a directive that limited the length of women's hairstyles to 10 cm.
So hairstyles with longer hair were not done in hairdressers and they could even shorten hair that was too long if it was not tied up in a modest bun or braided.
The German press strongly emphasized that the outstanding successes of the magnificent actress and director Leni Riefenstahl or the famous athlete-aviator Hannah Reich are directly related to their deep belief in the ideals of National Socialism.
The former actress Emma Goering and the mother of six Magda Goebbels, whose elegant toilets clearly showed German women that a true National Socialist had no need to dress in the modest uniform of the League of German Girls, were also declared role models.
German women generally calmly accepted the policies being pursued towards them.
The improved well-being of the population also contributed to the loyalty of German women to the new regime.
This was also facilitated by the favorable demographic policy of the ruling party in support of the family.
The Nazi regime was very interested in increasing the population.
If a working woman got married and voluntarily left her job, she was given an interest-free loan of 600 marks.
Since 1934, active promotion of the birth rate began: child and family benefits were introduced, medical care was provided to large families at preferential rates.
Special schools were opened where pregnant women were prepared for future motherhood.
In any case, Germany became the only large European country in which the birth rate was constantly increasing. If in 1934 just over 1 million babies were born, then in 1939 there were already about 1.5 million children.
In 1938, the order “Mother's Cross” was established - in bronze, silver and gold.
The inscription on the back of the cross read: “The child ennobles the mother.”
According to the plan of the Ministry of Propaganda, women were to occupy the same place of honor among the people as front-line soldiers.
Three degrees of honorary title were established - 3rd degree for 4 children, 2nd for 6 children (silver), 1st for 8 children (gold).
Sometimes officials tried to calm down the raging youth with prohibitive measures. Thus, in January 1930, the city mayor of Hannover and former Minister of War Gustav Noske (Social Democrat) forbade schoolchildren from joining the Hitler Youth. His example was followed in other lands of the country. However, it was impossible to cope with the Hitler Youth with such measures. The Nazis used the reputation of people's fighters persecuted by the authorities to promote propaganda and attract new members to the youth organization. The brown activists who were punished presented themselves as “victims” who suffered for the truth. As soon as the authorities banned any Hitler Youth cell, it was revived under a different name, for example, “Friends of Nature” or “Young People’s Philatelists.” Fantasy knew no bounds. In Kiel, for example, a group of butcher shop apprentices marched through the streets in their blood-stained aprons when the authorities banned the wearing of the Hitler Youth uniform. “The enemies trembled at the appearance of this group. They knew that everyone had a huge knife under their apron,” recalled one of the eyewitnesses
The Hitler Youth took part in the election campaign everywhere. They distributed leaflets and brochures, pasted up posters and wrote slogans on the walls. Many parents were worried about the health of their children, since their participation in campaign work on the street was unsafe. From 1931 to the end of January 1933, more than 20 members of the Hitler Youth were killed in clashes while performing “official duty in the name of the Fuhrer” (it should be noted here that young men from pro-communist youth associations also died).
Members of the Hitler Youth. 1933
The name of the Hitler Youth from Berlin, who fell at the hands of the “red youth” in the Moabit area, quickly became known - Herbert Norkus. At one time, his widowed father, as a result of the economic crisis, was forced to sell a small grocery store. Soon he joined the NSDAP. On the morning of January 24, 1932, fifteen-year-old Herbert and his comrades were handing out leaflets to passersby. They were attacked by a group of the same teenagers from a communist organization. Members of the Hitler Youth began to run, but the pursuers caught up with Norkus and stabbed him several times. The young man died from loss of blood. The killers fled.
The Nazis turned the funeral ceremony at the Plötzensee cemetery into a propaganda event. Pastor Wenzl, who served at the funeral, said in his farewell speech that “Herbert Norkus is an example for all German youth.” The then Nazi Gauleiter of Berlin, Joseph Goebbels, called on those gathered for vengeance:
“No one will take away from us the hope that the day of revenge will come. And then those who talk about humanity and love for one’s neighbor, but killed our comrade without trial, will know the strength of the new Germany. Then they will beg for mercy. It’s too late. The new Germany demands redemption."
Funeral of a Hitler Youth member
During the NSDAP congresses, Hitler Youth Day was held. During this day, party rallies were held at Frankenstadion, which is located on the territory of the NSDAP congresses.
Ernst Röhm walks around the ranks of Hitler Youth during a parade in Dortmund 07/08/1933
The leadership of the Hitler Youth tried by any means to attract young people. Solemn processions, propaganda marches and parades, war games, sports competitions, hiking trips, youth rallies, and international meetings with members of fascist youth associations in Italy and other countries were organized. Living together made the Hitler Youth very attractive to young people. Regular pilgrimages were held to Braunau am Inn, Hitler's birthplace. Any young man could find something interesting for himself in the activities of the Hitler Youth: art or folk crafts, aircraft modeling, journalism, music, sports, etc.
Members of the Hitler Youth learn to navigate the terrain. 1936
In addition to paramilitary actions, evenings were organized on Sundays, where small groups of the Hitler Youth gathered to develop plans for further actions and listen to propaganda radio broadcasts. On the other hand, the young man, who was not a member of the Hitler Youth, seemed to separate himself from his comrades who were.
A poster promoting joining the Hitler Youth (the inscription at the bottom is “All ten-year-olds are in the Hitler Youth”, at the top is “Youth Serve the Fuhrer”)
Participation in the Hitler Youth began at the age of 10. Every year on March 15th, every boy who had reached the age of ten was required to register at the Imperial Youth Headquarters. After a thorough examination of the child and his family, with special attention paid to his "racial purity", he was considered "free from shame." To be accepted, it was necessary to pass the so-called "Boy Test" and a medical examination. This was followed by a solemn ceremony of admission to the younger age group - Jungfolk.
Member of the Hitler Youth. 09.1934
The ceremony was held on the Fuhrer's birthday (April 20), in the presence of high party leadership. The transition to the next age group also took place with solemnity and pomp.
In the Hitler Youth, the most important attention was paid to such topics as racial theory, population policy, German history and political regional studies. In the foreground were the “Mastering Race” and policy towards the Jews, in history - the biography of Hitler, the history of the NSDAP, political regional studies, and the greatest attention was paid to the countries of fascism.
Hitler Youth Member ID
Emblem of the Hitler Youth organization
Flag of the Hitler Youth
But much more important than mental education was physical education. Competitions were the basis of sports development. Since 1935, Reich sports competitions began to be held annually. Competitions were held in athletics, hand-to-hand combat and team sports.
1936 Hitler Youth football team
Since 1937, shooting from firearms was introduced.
Eleven-year-old members of the Hitler Youth practice rifle shooting
Every hour of the Hitler Youth was busy to the limit, and the youth barely had time for their families. Most parents did not object to this routine.
Member of the Hitler Youth with a drum. 1936
A Hitler Youth accordionist performs in front of an audience
Member of the Hitler Youth on probation in the Kriegsmarine
On December 1, 1936, with the adoption of the Hitler Youth Law (Gesetz über die Hitler-Jugend), and then on March 25, 1939, with the adoption of the Youth Service (Jugenddienstpflicht), previously formally voluntary participation in the movement became mandatory. With the assumption of office by the head of the organization, Baldur von Schirach, the Hitler Youth became part of the NSDAP.
Application for joining the Hitler Youth 1938
Robert Ley, Hitler Youth leader Baldur von Schirach and Propaganda Ministry Secretary Karl Hanke inspect a Hitler Youth detachment
Robert Ley, Franz Xavier Schwarz and Baldur von Schirach test the knowledge of student members of the Hitler Youth
After Baldur von Schirach, this post was taken by A. Axman. The organization was dissolved after the defeat of the Third Reich.
Hitler Youth rally 02/13/1939 at the Berlin Sports Palace. From right to left: Leader of the national women's organization Gertrud Scholz-Klink, Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, Rudolf Hess, youth leader and Gauleiter of Vienna Baldur von Schirach, regional leader of the Hitler Youth Arthur Axmann, Colonel Rudolf von Alvensleben, Himmler's adjutant.
Hitler, giving a speech in Reichenberg (a city in the Czech Sudetenland annexed to Germany, now Liberec) at the beginning of 1938, spoke as follows about the fate of German youth:
These young people - they learn nothing other than to think in German, act in German. And when these boys and girls come to our organizations at the age of ten and often only there receive and feel fresh air for the first time, after four years they end up from the Jungvolk in the Hitler Youth, where we leave them for another four years, and then we send them to other hands of old parents and school teachers, but we are immediately accepted into the party or the Workers' Front, into the SA or SS, into the NSKK, etc. And if they stay there for one and a half or two years and do not become complete National Socialists, then they will be drafted into “Labor service” and will be polished for six to seven months with the help of some symbol - a German shovel. And what remains in six or seven months of class consciousness or class arrogance will be taken over by the Wehrmacht in the next two years. And when they return in two, or three, or four years, we will immediately take them into the SA, SS, etc., so that they will under no circumstances return to their old ways. And they will never be free again - for the rest of their lives.
Hitler Youth. 1938
Hitler Youth camp in the mountains 08/22/1938.
Miscellaneous
The organization was dissolved after the defeat of the Third Reich.
A Hitler Youth delegation visited Japan in August-September 1938
The Hitler Youth delegation arrived in Yokohama on the passenger ship Gneisenau on August 16, 1938. As they arrived, they shouted “Dai Nippon banzai” (大日本万歳! Long live Great Japan!)
Crowds of Japanese greet the Hitler Youth delegation at a train station in Tokyo
A delegation of the Hitler Youth marches along one of the streets of Tokyo
Japanese girls greet the Germans
Gala dinner at the German Embassy on the first day of the Hitler Youth delegation's stay in Japan, August 16, 1938
Members of the Hitler Youth meet with Japanese leaders on September 5, 1938
The Hitler Youth delegation at Edo Castle during a symbolic meeting ceremony with Emperor Hirohito
A Hitler Youth delegation visiting Meiji Shrine in September 1938
A Shinto priest leading a Hitler Youth delegation visits Yasukuni
Group photo of members of the Hitler Youth delegation and Japanese officers during a visit to Japan
Japanese women in the Hitler Youth
Fragments of events with the participation of the German delegation
Commemorative badges
As has already been said, great attention was paid to the education of the younger generation in Nazi Germany. This process covers not only the Bund Deutscher Medel (BDM), the Union of German Girls, which was part of the Hitler Youth and can be organizationally divided into three groups. The organization consisted of girls aged 10 to 21 years. The first group, "BDM-Jungmedel", consisted of girls aged 10 to 14 years ("Union of Girls"). The second (“BDM-medel”) consisted of girls from 14 to 17 years old. The third group, which was called “Glaube-und-Schönheit” (“Faith and Beauty”), consisted of girls and young women in the age category from 17 to 21 years.
The Union of German Girls (German: Bund Deutscher Mädel, BDM or BdM) was a women's youth organization in Nazi Germany, a youth and children's women's movement similar to the Hitler Youth, which included German girls in the age category from 10 to 18 years. Girls aged 10 to 13 years were united by Jungmedelbund (German: Jungmädelbund, JM) - Union of Young Girls.
In 1936, mandatory membership in the Union of German Girls was established at the legislative level for girls in Germany. An exception could be considered girls who were of Jewish nationality, as well as those excluded for “racial reasons.” By the end of 1944, the Union of German Girls was considered the largest women's youth organization in the world, with about 4.6 million members.
The standard uniform of the German Girls' Union was a dark blue skirt, white blouse and black tie with a leather clip. Girls were strictly forbidden to wear high-heeled shoes, as well as silk stockings. The only jewelry I have are rings and watches. As Hitler argued, clothing should serve the purpose of educating young people.
During the Second World War, girls from BdM worked in hospitals, took part in air defense and were engaged in agriculture.
After the war ended, the League of German Girls, as a separate unit of the Hitler Youth, was banned and dissolved on the basis of Law No. 2 of the Control Council.
The first two groups had uniforms that they were required to wear. There were BDM cells and groups in all corners of the Reich, including annexed and occupied territories. There were titles in the BDM, the assignment of which depended not only on age, but also on the functions performed. In 1939, membership in the BDM, as in other divisions of the Hitler Youth, was mandatory. The decree, which was published on March 25, 1939, interpreted that all members of the Hitler Youth who had reached the age of 16-18 must annually work out a specified period of time in public works: young men were recommended to work in agriculture, that is, harvest crops, and girls - to help families who have many children. The "Landdienst", or "land service", was introduced in 1934 and was increased every year. Farm work was encouraged. Boys and girls who performed community service on the farm during the year could claim great privileges. During the war, help in harvesting and working on a farm for a year was a prerequisite. It was believed that those who take part in the work make a personal contribution to victory. The girl who worked for one year at Landdienst also had differences in uniform: the cuffs on her uniform were black and had the inscription “Landdienst”. The rank in the BDM was indicated on the dark blue uniform and white summer blouse with cloth badges. Colored laces were also worn, which also denoted rank. More often, the girls from BDM wore the so-called “Alpine jacket,” which was made of light brown material with leather or brown plastic carved buttons, convex, which resembled a soccer ball.
"Faith and Beauty" - ("Glaube und Schönheit") was a women's youth organization within the Union of German Girls. It was created in 1937 by Baldur von Schirach. Girls aged 17 to 21 could join it. They were trained in housekeeping and prepared for marriage and motherhood in accordance with the National Socialist concept of the "ideal German woman".
Girls of this age category were no longer considered members of the Union of German Girls, but did not yet have the right to join the National Socialist Women's Organization. Thus, the state and the NSDAP, with the help of “Faith and Beauty,” sought to keep them in the mainstream of public life.
"Faith and Beauty" was created in 1938 by order of the leader of the imperial youth, Baldur von Schirach, in agreement with the leadership of the Union of German Girls. Like its parent organizations - the Union of German Girls and the Hitler Youth - "Faith and Beauty" had a strict hierarchical structure. The law established voluntary membership in this organization, but in practice, all German girls graduating from the ranks of the Union automatically joined the ranks of Faith and Beauty. Leaving the organization could give reason to suspect the girl and her parents (the age of majority was 21) of oppositional views. The pressure on girls in Germany increased even more with the entry into force of the Reich Labor Service Law on September 4, 1939.
The work of "Faith and Beauty" met the political objectives of the organization. It was carried out in circles that worked once a week after hours. Sports, dance or body care courses were designed to improve the health of young women as future mothers of Germany's new generation. Circles that disseminated knowledge in the field of health, communications or air defense prepared young women so that in the event of war they could replace men who had gone to the front in production.
The organization "Faith and Beauty" was banned and liquidated after the war by Law No. 2 of the Control Council, and its property was subject to confiscation.
Girls' Union (German Jungmädelbund, JM) is the junior age group of the women's youth organization "Union of German Girls" for girls in the age category from 10 to 14 years, which was part of the Hitler Youth.
The organization in German is called Jungmädelbund, and therefore in modern historical literature the name of the organization is usually abbreviated as JM. Since it was a girls' organization, it was located in the League of German Girls, which was led by the only head of the Hitler Youth, Baldur von Schirach (later replaced by Arthur Axmann).
The organization was created in 1931, the Union of German Girls became one girls' organization. All other groups, including church groups and scout organizations, were either absorbed into the Hitler Youth or closed. In 1936, the Hitler Youth Law made membership in the Union compulsory for all girls aged 10 years and older. This law specified compulsory membership in the Hitler Youth for all boys over the age of 10 years.
New members must register between March 1st and March 10th of each year. Registration had to be carried out at local branches of the Union of German Girls. Girls had to complete fourth grade and meet the following requirements:
To be racially pure, that is, to be an ethnic part of the German nation;
Be a German citizen;
There must be no hereditary diseases.
If a girl met these requirements, then she could be assigned to a group of the Girls’ Union at her place of residence. In order to become a full member of the Union, she must attend preparatory courses, which consisted of her participation in one meeting of the Union, one sports day, which was supposed to include a test of her courage, and lectures on the tasks of the Union.
After she fulfilled these requirements, a ceremony was held to induct new members into the rank of members of the Union (April 20 - Hitler's birthday). During the ceremony, new members were sworn in, given Certificates of Membership, and personally greeted by the group leader.
In order to become a “full” member of the organization, each girl had to pass a certain series of tests: take part in a one-day trip with a group, etc. It took six months for a girl to meet all the specified requirements in order to become a full member of the Union. On October 2 of each year, those who were able to pass the tests could become full members during a ceremony where girls were officially granted the right to wear a black tie, belt and brown neckerchief with leather knot.
JM members wore a uniform that consisted of a white blouse, blue skirt, white socks and brown boots.
The girl was a member of the Union and remained in the group until she was 14, after which she was able to transfer to the Union of German Girls.
Jungfolk - The youngest age group of the Hitler Youth, which consisted of boys from 10 to 14 years old.
Joining the Jungfolk was considered voluntary by law. Education in the organization was carried out in the spirit of National Socialism with the goal of instilling in children from a very early age a National Socialist worldview of Aryan ideals. In addition, the need to remain faithful to Hitler and the regime he created was emphasized in every possible way, and the cult of physical strength, vitality and militarism was also promoted. The Nazis believed that teaching children how to become tough would free them from some of their disadvantages. Anti-Semitism was also propagated during educational work in the Jungvolk.
1. According to the law of December 1, 1936, a conscription of children born in 1927 into the Jungvolk was announced in Germany.
Thus, women's youth organizations had their own system and their own goals. The girls were preparing to become exemplary wives and soldiers' mothers. The role of women in society was reduced to the institution of family. Despite the preparation for family life, ideology played a leading role in the upbringing of girls. Thus, in women's youth organizations, girls were instilled with anti-Semitism and a special, erroneous perception of humanism.
Valkyrie of the Reich. Hannah Reich
“With an amazing calmness, which I did not expect to find in this fragile woman, she noted that a true patriot cannot value his own life too much when the honor of the fatherland is at stake.”(Otto Skorzeny)
This woman was not just famous, she was famous, and not only in Germany. She performed tasks that were beyond the capabilities of male pilots. She holds more than 40 world records.
Her biography constantly flashes “the first...”, “the first...”, “the first...”. This woman is test pilot Hannah Reich.Rebellious Fraulein
Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was prohibited from having its own air force. But no one in Germany considered the current situation unshakable. Politicians and the Reichswehr lived with the dream of revenge, and such sentiments were intensely fueled among the people. In anticipation of Germany gaining the right to create its own air force, numerous sections of glider pilots were created throughout the country. It was in these sports clubs that the future Luftwaffe aces Hartmann, Marseille, Barkhorn, Novotny received their first flying skills.
Theoretically, German girls were not barred from joining these circles, but the unspoken rule limited the social role of a German woman to three “Ks”: “Kinder, Kirche, Küche.” Hannah Reich was one of the few who decided to go beyond this triangle.
Glider pilot Hannah Reich
Hannah was born in Silesia on March 29, 1912 in the family of an ophthalmologist. Since childhood, she was overwhelmed by two passions: medicine and aeronautics. But if the parents perceived the first hobby quite calmly, then they categorically objected to the second. One day, a father promised his daughter that if she never mentioned flying before receiving her certificate, he would send her to a gliding course.
Focus failed. Having received the certificate, Hannah refused her parent's gift - a gold watch, and reminded her father of his promise. This is how the first and only female cadet, Hanna Reich, appeared at the glider school in Graunau.
At the end of the course, Hannah brilliantly passes “Exam C” - instead of the required 5 minutes, she soars in the sky for 20. While studying medicine at the insistence of her parents at the University of Kiel, she simultaneously enrolls in a flight school, where she learns the intricacies of navigation, studies the structure of an aircraft engine, and masters the art of “ blind flight." Hannah graduates from school, gains fame among aviators and sets records one after another for altitude and flight duration and makes the final choice in favor of aviation.
In the service of the Nazis
An extraordinary female pilot attracts the attention of the Nazis. Even before coming to power, Hitler met Reich and tried to attract her to National Socialism. His speeches about humiliated Germany, about the need to return it to its former greatness, have a strong impact on Hannah. She was only 20 years old, and Hitler, of course, had charisma and knew how to attract people. Reich became his supporter and subsequently quite rightly had the reputation of an ardent Nazi.
In 1934, a group of glider pilots was sent to South America. Their unspoken goal is to win the hearts of Brazilians, Argentines, and Paraguayans for Germany. Hannah Reich is the central figure of this propaganda tour: a highly qualified pilot, and also a young beautiful girl! (In the Third Reich they knew how to “put on propaganda”!) By the way, Hannah contributed 3,000 marks from her personal funds to the expedition’s cash desk.
The tour is a stunning success. Argentines are simply delighted with German pilots. Particularly distrustful people even inspect aircraft: are there hidden motors? They are simply unable to believe that such complex figures are performed on gliders. “The Germans can do anything!” becomes the leitmotif of speeches. 12 years will pass, and it is in Argentina that numerous “rat trails” will end, along which numerous members of the NSDAP and SS will flee from Germany to escape retribution. But in 1934 no one thought about this yet.
Germany business card
Soon Hanna Reich becomes the “calling card” of Germany. At the invitation of the Finnish government, she travels to cold Suomi in order to strengthen German-Finnish friendship, demonstrates her skills and gives the first gliding lessons to everyone. (In 1941, some of her students would bomb Karelia.) In 1935, in violation of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany introduced conscription. Neighboring countries are beginning to look at Germany with caution.
In May 35th, “Festivos Lisboa” takes place in Lisbon; The program includes demonstration performances by the best glider pilots in the world. Germany is going to be represented not by the two-meter descendant of Siegfried - the standard of the future SS warrior, but by the miniature blonde Hannah (height - 1.54 m, weight - 45 kg). Here it is - the face of real Germany, which wishes no harm to anyone! And what some left-wing politicians are screaming is Bolshevik propaganda!
There will also be visits to the USA in 1938 to participate in the “World Air Races”, an expedition to North Africa (the time will come, and Rommel will gratefully remember both Reich and the other participants in the expedition). At the same time, Hannah sets records, records, records.
Test pilot
But all these shows, visits, tours are rare holidays. And in everyday life, closed from the majority, Reich is the first and only female aircraft tester in Germany. At one of the closed demonstrations, she throws the plane into a dive from a height of 3000 meters and only just before the ground pulls the handle towards herself and the plane goes “like a candle” into the sky. Luftwaffe officers are delighted. Very soon Poland, Belgium, France will hear the howl of diving Ju87s and shudder.
At the airfield in Rechlin, Reich tests bombers, fighters, and attack aircraft. Hannah suggests using gliders to transport goods and soldiers. A Ju52 in tow lifts a cargo glider with a platoon of soldiers into the air. At the helm of the glider is Hanna Reich. At an altitude of 1000 meters, she uncouples from the Junkers and throws the car into a dive.
Just before the ground he levels the glider and lands it right in front of the generals present at the demonstration. The paratroopers jump out of the glider and immediately take up a combat position. (This is how Eben-Emael, a Belgian fort considered impregnable, will be taken in May 1940. This is how Skorzeny’s paratroopers will land at the Campo Imperatore hotel, where the arrested Mussolini is being held)
Devoted to the Fuhrer and the Reich
Hannah has been in accidents several times. In October 1943, during testing of the Me163a, she crashed so seriously that she spent 5 months in the hospital and underwent a rehabilitation course for another 4 months. But every time she left the hospital, she returned to her dangerous work to serve the Fuhrer and the Reich.
Officially, Reich was not a military personnel, but this did not stop her from receiving two Iron Crosses from Hitler, and from Goering the title of honorary pilot-captain and a gold Luftwaffe pilot badge with diamonds.
Kamikaze of the III Reich No. 1
In February 1944, receiving another award from Hitler, Hannah suggested that the Fuhrer create a detachment of suicide pilots. According to her plan, the He-111 was supposed to deliver an explosive-laden bomb with a pilot to a given area, where the pilot of the flying bomb took control, aimed the projectile at the target, and then bailed out or died a hero's death. The targets of the attacks were to be important government and industrial facilities, key defense centers, and large ships (Japanese kamikazes were unheard of at that time).
Hitler initially rejected Hanna's idea, but Reich found support in Skorzeny. Approval was received and the Luftwaffe office received the first application for enrollment in the suicide pilot squad, signed by Hannah Reich. It was decided to take the V-1 as the base model. The device was named "Reichenberg". The first tests of the flying bomb were unsuccessful. Two pilots were seriously injured. The Air Ministry ordered the testing to stop.
Then Hannah herself took the helm of the Reichenberg to prove the viability of her project. She carried out a test flight and safely landed the flying projectile. By February 1945, 175 Reichenberg-4s and a group of 70 pilots were ready. But everyone already understood that these less than a hundred pilots ready to die, led by a desperate Valkyrie, would not be able to change the course of the war. The group was disbanded, the pilots returned to the front to their units.
Last special mission
On April 25, 1945, Colonel General von Greim, whom Hannah had accompanied since 1943, told his friend that he was flying to Berlin: the Fuhrer had called him. Both Hannah and Graham understood that this enterprise was almost hopeless. Soviet aviation dominates the skies over Berlin. There is little chance of flying to Berlin, and practically no chance of flying there and returning back. But the oath! But the Fuhrer's order! For von Greim, a career military man who went through the First World War, the question of “to fly or not to fly” did not even arise. Hannah is another matter. The honorary title did not oblige her to anything. But she is flying to Berlin.
Reich and von Greim take off from the last airfield in the hands of the Wehrmacht in a sports Storch. Von Greim is at the helm, Hannah is the co-pilot. Already on the approach to Berlin, their plane is fired upon by Soviet anti-aircraft artillery, von Greim is wounded, Hanna takes control of the plane and lands the plane at the Brandenburg Gate.
She sees the Fuhrer for the last time and offers him to escape: she will take him out on the Storch, she will break through! Answer: “No.” Then she will die next to him! But the Fuhrer does not need her death. Last order: deliver von Greim to Doenitz's headquarters. Von Greim has just been awarded the rank of field marshal (the last one to be so lucky!), he is appointed commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe instead of Goering, who betrayed Hitler in his difficult hour of testing.
Rach plays Russian roulette for the second time. The plane barely takes off from the ground when it comes under fire, but Hannah dives into the clouds. She still had that lucky chance, one in a thousand, which no one believed in anymore.
After the war
On May 9, 1945, Reich surrendered to the Americans. After spending 15 months in the camp, in 1946 she was released, where no one was waiting for her. The family died, von Greim committed suicide after learning that the Soviet authorities demanded his extradition from the Americans. Reich devoted the rest of her life to gliding. She took part in international competitions, won prizes, and in 1955 became the German champion. She founded the National Flying School in Ghana (Africa), which she directed until 1962. In 1978, at the age of 66, she set the last glider flight distance record. A year later she died.
Nazi forever
In 1951, Hannah Reich published her memoirs. There is not a line of regret about what they have done, not a word of repentance. Prisons, concentration camps, millions killed on the battlefields, shot, strangled in gas chambers - as if they existed in another, parallel world. For the rest of her life, Reich remained a loyal supporter of the ideas of National Socialism. The tragic fate of Germany did not shake her love for Hitler one iota. She kept it until her last days, and if the situation allowed, she proudly wore the Iron Cross handed to her by the Fuhrer.
Reich was a gifted person, but she gave her talents, will, and character to the service of the most terrible phenomenon - fascism. It is customary for the soul of someone who has passed on to another world to wish for peace and tranquility. Hannah Reich deserved neither the first nor the second.