Hitler's Baby Division

and certainly more than army equivalents. Since the Hitler Youth Division was
trumpeted as a “Junior Body Guard” and since Hitler had specifically ordered
that it be fully equipped, there is little doubt that it was one of the better
supplied fighting units of the war. There were always devious ways to acquire
desired officers and equipment if normal channels failed to supply them, as
Witt's most resourceful regimental commander, Kurt Meyer, and his young
subordinate officers, repeatedly demonstrated. 33
One source of strength lay in the HJ origin of the combat personnel.
The tie to the RJF was carefully maintained by assiduous propaganda and by
visits of Youth Leader Artur Axmann, who made at least two formal
inspection tours. During the first visit Witt ordered commanders to discuss
plans with Axmann and had all positions of honor occupied by young men,
making sure that the Youth Leader was accorded the same respect as
Waffen SS generals by special order of Himmler himself. Axmann spent some
time with most battalions and even with smaller units. During the second
visit he brought along Dutch and Norwegian youth leaders, no doubt at the
suggestion of Gottlob Berger who was, of course. eager to influence SS
recruitment in the occupied countries. The RJF also assumed troop welfare
for the Division in order “to solidify the special tie of the National Socialist
movement with the Division.” Special musical groups, theatrical troupes,
letter writing campaigns and dispatch of packages fell under this program.
lies with individual battalions and smaller formations were later established
by regional HJ directorates. The umbilical cord to the Hitler Youth was to be
maintained at all costs. 34
All of this meticulous care in organizing, training and preparing the
"Baby Division" was certainly carried out in order to avoid the errors of
Langemarck which hung over these activities as an ominous cloud. It was also
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