Figure 1.-- The boys seem to belong to a youth group, but before 1933 not the Hitler Youth. Several of the camp photographs focus on two boys, presumably brothers of the family here. We thought it was the Hitler Youth at first because the uniforms are similar. There are, however, not NAZI insignia and we notice banners and patches that do not seem to be HJ regalia. Notice the cross on the boy's left sleeve. This is not a HJ patch.

The boys belong to a youth group, but before 1933 not the Hitler Youth. We do not know, however, just which group this was. The cross on the boy's sleeve probably identified it (figure 1). There also seems to be a cross on the banner. Unfortunately, we do not know enough of the regalia of the diiferent youth groups to identify the group. While we do not know the identity of the group, we do see the boys involved in a range of activities, inclufing hiking and camping.

Identity

The boys belong to a youth group, but before 1933 not the Hitler Youth. There were in the 1920s and early 30s quite a large number of different youth groups. This include Catholic and other groups swith religious afiliations. We do not know, however, just which group this was. The cross on the boy's sleeve probably identified it (figure 1). Other than the cross sleeve badge, we do ot notice any other emblems or badges on the boys' uniforms. There also seems to be a cross on the banner. Unfortunately, we do not know enough of the regalia of the diiferent youth groups to identify the group. Horefully we will be able to eventually identify the group.

Public Exhibit

Several of the camp photographs focus on two boys, presumably brothers of the family here. Here we see the two boys with a banner (figure 1). The boys seem to haveorganized some sort of exhibition for their prent and the general public. All we see, however, is the two boys here and the public in the background. It looks like the boys are staging it in a city park.

Activities

While we do not know the identity of the group, the album provides scenes of a range of activities. We do see the boys involved in a range of activities, includng hiking and camping. We also notice the boys rock climbing and just having fun. They appear to be the standard activities persued by youth groups around the world. All we can tll about the activity progrm is what we can make out in the images. The views here seem more intimate than many of the Hitler Youth images, many of which were taken by pprofessional photographers.

Uniform and Insignia

We thought it was the Hitler Youth at first because the uniforms are similar. The shirt and dark shorts as well as the belt buckle look like the HJ. The leather suspenders, however, were not like the straps worn by the HJ boys. We can't make out the colors involved, but they look similar to those of the Hitler Youth. We do not notice the boys wearing caps. And more importantly there are no NAZI insignia. We notice banners and patches that do not seem to be HJ regalia. The obly patches the boys here wear is the heraldic cross on their left sleeve. The boys commonly wear knee socks. Some boys wear long stockings, but rolled them don and wore them like kneesocks.

Chronology

The youth group photographs n this album are not dated, but given the placement in the album would have been taken in the early 1930s. We are not sure just what group is involved here. The NAZIs very quickly shut down other youth groups after seizing power. This would date them before 1933. The NAZIs permitted the Catholic youth association was allowed to operate for several years. So Perhaps this was the group. If so these photogaphs could have been taken in 1933-35.

Location

The banner reads "Chemnitz" which is a German town. This is very useful, it helps us identify where the boys lived. This does not look like any kind of nartional rally. Rather it looks like a local event. This means that Chemnitz in Saxony is where the boys lived.

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Created: 6:21 PM 3/11/2007
Last updated: 6:21 PM 3/11/2007