Figure 1.-- Mother is wisking Ludwig, the youngest Bernini boy, away from the window to keep him from being influenced by a NAZI parade that is taking place in the street outside their apartment. She doesn't want him to be frightened or too impressed with the show of NAZI domination of Hamburg. Notice the brown long stockings.

The boys have no connection with Hitler Youth (HJ). There is one scene where their mother tries to shield the youngest boy, Ludwig, from even watching a NAZI parade (figure 1). It is not explained why the boys did not join the HJ. Nor do we see their parents discussing the issue with the boys. The NAZIs made membership at age 10 mandatory. And Mischlings were allowed in the HJ. Here our information is limited. We know that Second class Mischlings participated in the HJ. We are not sure about First Class Mischlings. It may be that the HJ would not have pushed membership for Mischlings. The HJ was, however, such an important part of youth life in NAZI Germany that their failure to join would have been noted by the other boys at school and in the neighborhood.

Created: 11:38 PM 12/11/2008
Last updated: 11:38 PM 12/11/2008