Hitler's Baby Division
Hitler's Baby Division 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 26
done because the planners believed the HJ Division could make a difference by setting an instructive example and reversing the rising tide of defeatism and cynical indifference among regular army troops. These notions were soon to be tested when the HJ Division experienced its bloody baptism of fire in a crucial sector of the Battle for Normandy. 1 Stein, The Waffen-SS, 5, 8, 19, 32, 52, 116-8, 200, 205-7; Weingartner, Hitler’s Guard, passim; Wegner, Hitlers Politische Soldaten, 281. 2 SSFHA/Kommandoamt der W-SS, “Bericht des Gebietsführers Kohlmeyer an den Reichsjugendführer,” 15.2.1941, T-175/20/2525087-111; RJF/HA l to all Regions, “Nachwuchs für die Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler,” 15.11.1941, T-175/108/2632300; HJ Gebiet Schwaben, “Eintritt als Freiwilliger in die LSSAH,” Rundschreiben (1.12.1941), T- 580/349/#5; Weingartner, Hitler’s Guard, 69-70. 3 Axmann, "Freiwilligenwerbung für die Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler," RB. 22/42K (13.10.1942), T-81/115/134527; See also Schwaben Gebietsrundschreiben 24/42 (12.11.1942), T-580/348/#2/2; Gebietsbefehl Westmark K 23/42 (14.12.1942), T- 81/101/117153. 4 Berger to Brandt, “Betr. Division 'Hitler-Jugend'," Geheime Kommandosache, 3.7.1943, T- 175/108/2631226-7; Himmler to d'Alquen, 30.6.1943, T-175/70/2586531; Himmler to Schmundt, Geheim, 22.3.1943, T-175/l08/2631233. 5 Berger Aktenvermerk, “Besprechung mit Möckel,” 9.2.1943, T-175/108/2631262-4; Himmler notes, “Vortrag beim Führer, 10.2.1943,” T-175/94/2615137; “Vermerk für Frau Bethge,” 18.3.1943, T-175/108/2631239; Himmler to Axmann, Geheim, 13.2.1943, T-175/100/2631254; Himmler to Berger, Geheim, 16.2.1943, T-175/108/2631245. 6 Berger to Himmler, "Aufstellung der Division Hitler-Jugend," Geheim, 18.2.1943, T- 175/108/2631248-51. The two members of the Recruiting Office were SS-Brigadeführer Heinrich Jürs, head of Amt B1 (Ergänzungsamt) in the Main SS Office (SSHA), and SS- Sturmbannführer Robert Brill, Jürs' deputy. 7 Reichsjugendführer der NSDAP, “Hitler-Jugend Division in der Waffen-SS,” Geheim Rundschreiben 898/2/1/43 (17.2.1943), T-611/2/426/I. 8 Berger Aktenvermerk, “Besprechung am 8.3.1943,” T-175/108/2631235-8; Berger to Himmler, "Division Hitler-Jugend," Geheim, 9.3.1943, T-175/108/2631234. Jüttner (SSFHA) to SSHA, “Aufstellung der SS-Division Hitler-Jugend,” Geheim, 10.3.1943, T- 175/108/2631241-2; SSFHA to Dr. Brandt, “Betr. HJ Division,” Geheime Kommandosache, 11.3.1943, T-175/108/2631240; Berger to SSFHA, “Aufstellung der SS-Division 'Hitler- Jugend',” Geheime Kommandosache, 20.3.1943, T-175/108/2631228-9; Himmler, “Plan zur Aufstellung der Division 'Hitler-Jugend',” Geheim, with copies to Jüttner, Berger and von Herff, n.d. (1943), T-175/70/2586518-23; Axmann to Himmler, 8.4.1943, T- 175/108/2631230. 9 Axmann to all Regions, 6.4.1943, T-580/347/#2; RJF, Presse und Propaganda Amt, “Freiwillige der HJ für die Waffen-SS,” Vertraulich, 3.6.1943, T-81/96/110526; RJF, P.u.P. Amt, “SS-Panzergrenadier Division 'Hitler-Jugend',” vertraulich, 9.11.1943, T- 81/96/110458; RJF, Stabsführer Möckel to Regions, “Div. HJ,” 23.3.1943, T- 580/347/#2; Axmann to Leaders of Regions, “Freiwilligenmeldung zur Division HJ,” 1.4.1943, T-580/347/#2; RJF/HA IV/Soziales Amt, “Freiwilligenmeldung zur Division HJ,” 14.4.1943, T-81/115/134742; Ernst Schlünder to Gebietsführer der HJ Gebiete, “HJ- Division,” 9.5.1943, T-580/347/#2; HJ Gebiet Schwaben, “Lehrabschlussprüfung der Freiwilligen der Division HJ (Reichsnährstandsberufe),” 4.6.1943, T-580/349/#5; Axmann to Leaders of Regions, “Freiwillige für die Division HJ aus Schülerkreisen,” 27
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done because the planners believed the HJ <strong>Division</strong> could make a difference<br />
by setting an instructive example and reversing the rising tide of defeatism<br />
and cynical indifference among regular army troops. These notions were<br />
soon to be tested when the HJ <strong>Division</strong> experienced its bloody baptism of fire<br />
in a crucial sector of the Battle for Normandy.<br />
1 Stein, The Waffen-SS, 5, 8, 19, 32, 52, 116-8, 200, 205-7; Weingartner, Hitler’s Guard,<br />
passim; Wegner, Hitlers Politische Soldaten, 281.<br />
2 SSFHA/Kommandoamt der W-SS, “Bericht des Gebietsführers Kohlmeyer an den<br />
Reichsjugendführer,” 15.2.1941, T-175/20/2525087-111; RJF/HA l to all Regions,<br />
“Nachwuchs für die Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler,” 15.11.1941, T-175/108/2632300; HJ<br />
Gebiet Schwaben, “Eintritt als Freiwilliger in die LSSAH,” Rundschreiben (1.12.1941), T-<br />
580/349/#5; Weingartner, Hitler’s Guard, 69-70.<br />
3 Axmann, "Freiwilligenwerbung für die Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler," RB. 22/42K<br />
(13.10.1942), T-81/115/134527; See also Schwaben Gebietsrundschreiben 24/42<br />
(12.11.1942), T-580/348/#2/2; Gebietsbefehl Westmark K 23/42 (14.12.1942), T-<br />
81/101/117153.<br />
4 Berger to Brandt, “Betr. <strong>Division</strong> 'Hitler-Jugend'," Geheime Kommandosache, 3.7.1943, T-<br />
175/108/2631226-7; Himmler to d'Alquen, 30.6.1943, T-175/70/2586531; Himmler to<br />
Schmundt, Geheim, 22.3.1943, T-175/l08/2631233.<br />
5 Berger Aktenvermerk, “Besprechung mit Möckel,” 9.2.1943, T-175/108/2631262-4;<br />
Himmler notes, “Vortrag beim Führer, 10.2.1943,” T-175/94/2615137; “Vermerk für<br />
Frau Bethge,” 18.3.1943, T-175/108/2631239; Himmler to Axmann, Geheim, 13.2.1943,<br />
T-175/100/2631254; Himmler to Berger, Geheim, 16.2.1943, T-175/108/2631245.<br />
6 Berger to Himmler, "Aufstellung der <strong>Division</strong> Hitler-Jugend," Geheim, 18.2.1943, T-<br />
175/108/2631248-51. The two members of the Recruiting Office were SS-Brigadeführer<br />
Heinrich Jürs, head of Amt B1 (Ergänzungsamt) in the Main SS Office (SSHA), and SS-<br />
Sturmbannführer Robert Brill, Jürs' deputy.<br />
7 Reichsjugendführer der NSDAP, “Hitler-Jugend <strong>Division</strong> in der Waffen-SS,” Geheim<br />
Rundschreiben 898/2/1/43 (17.2.1943), T-611/2/426/I.<br />
8 Berger Aktenvermerk, “Besprechung am 8.3.1943,” T-175/108/2631235-8; Berger to<br />
Himmler, "<strong>Division</strong> Hitler-Jugend," Geheim, 9.3.1943, T-175/108/2631234. Jüttner<br />
(SSFHA) to SSHA, “Aufstellung der SS-<strong>Division</strong> Hitler-Jugend,” Geheim, 10.3.1943, T-<br />
175/108/2631241-2; SSFHA to Dr. Brandt, “Betr. HJ <strong>Division</strong>,” Geheime Kommandosache,<br />
11.3.1943, T-175/108/2631240; Berger to SSFHA, “Aufstellung der SS-<strong>Division</strong> 'Hitler-<br />
Jugend',” Geheime Kommandosache, 20.3.1943, T-175/108/2631228-9; Himmler, “Plan<br />
zur Aufstellung der <strong>Division</strong> 'Hitler-Jugend',” Geheim, with copies to Jüttner, Berger and von<br />
Herff, n.d. (1943), T-175/70/2586518-23; Axmann to Himmler, 8.4.1943, T-<br />
175/108/2631230.<br />
9 Axmann to all Regions, 6.4.1943, T-580/347/#2; RJF, Presse und Propaganda Amt,<br />
“Freiwillige der HJ für die Waffen-SS,” Vertraulich, 3.6.1943, T-81/96/110526; RJF,<br />
P.u.P. Amt, “SS-Panzergrenadier <strong>Division</strong> 'Hitler-Jugend',” vertraulich, 9.11.1943, T-<br />
81/96/110458; RJF, Stabsführer Möckel to Regions, “Div. HJ,” 23.3.1943, T-<br />
580/347/#2; Axmann to Leaders of Regions, “Freiwilligenmeldung zur <strong>Division</strong> HJ,”<br />
1.4.1943, T-580/347/#2; RJF/HA IV/Soziales Amt, “Freiwilligenmeldung zur <strong>Division</strong><br />
HJ,” 14.4.1943, T-81/115/134742; Ernst Schlünder to Gebietsführer der HJ Gebiete, “HJ-<br />
<strong>Division</strong>,” 9.5.1943, T-580/347/#2; HJ Gebiet Schwaben, “Lehrabschlussprüfung der<br />
Freiwilligen der <strong>Division</strong> HJ (Reichsnährstandsberufe),” 4.6.1943, T-580/349/#5;<br />
Axmann to Leaders of Regions, “Freiwillige für die <strong>Division</strong> HJ aus Schülerkreisen,”<br />
27
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