Unidentified German Brothers: Ardent NAZI Family (late-1930s)


Figure 1.-- This portrait suggests that the boys came from an ardent NAZI family. There are two strong indicators. First of all, the parents have done up the little brother in a HJ uniform conplete with belt buckle. There was no way to avoid the HJ for the older boy. But nothing required the parents to outfit the younger boy in a HJ uniform. Children were required to enlist in the HJ at age 10 years. The younger boys looks to be only avbout 4-5 years old. Second is the scull woogle the older boy is wearing. This was an SS symbol. It is not something that most mothers woukd have allowed their sons to wear. We believe that Only an ardent NAZI family or an actual SS family would have permitted this. The older brother wears the official HJ-DJ uniform. His little brother wears the HJ shirt and scarve, a standard woggle and the HJ belt and shoulder harness. But note that mother has added suspenders--somerthing never seen with HJ boys. And he wears Lederhosen rather than cord shorts. He also wears long stockings rather than the knne socks HJ boys usually wore.

There are counrless images of German children wearing HJ uniforms. In most cases they are not identified and we are left to wonder how the HJ affected their thinking and what were their expeiences during the War. For the most part, HJ boys suring the 1930s, even the younger, children, probably served in the military during World War II. The younger boys in the 1940s probably did not join the military, although some very young boys did so in 1944 and 45. One of the questions of German history is the extent to which many Germans were willing suppoters of the NAZIs or were unaware or weven unwilling pawns in the the NAZI enterprise. It is a difficult question to answer because after the War it was suddenly difficult to find ardent NAZI supporters. These HJ portraits are interesting little documents providing object insights into German families. German children had to join the HJ, so the fact that they were HJ members tells us nothing about the family's political orientation. Having studio portaits or snapshots tells us a little more, suggesting that the family was supportive of the HJ program. Of course the boy rather than the parents could have been the enthusiastic party. This portrait tells us a good bit more, suggesting that the boys came from an ardent NAZI family. There are two strong indicators. First of all, the parents have done up the little brother in a HJ uniform conplete with belt buckle. There was no way to avoid thisd for the older boy. But nothing required the parents to do this for the older boy. Children were required to enlist in the HJ at age 10 years. The younger boys looks to be only avbout 4-5 years old. Second is the scull woogle the older boy is wearing is presumably based on the SS death's head symbol. It is not something that most mothers, including German mothers, would have allowed their sons to wear. Parents could have gotten in trouble for not enrolling their child in the HJ or interfering in wearing the uniform. No parents would have gotten in trouble for not allowing their son to wear a scull woggle. We believe that only an ardent NAZI family or perhaps even an SS family would have permnitted this.







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Created: 1:22 AM 11/23/2010
Last updated: 1:22 AM 11/23/2010