Hitler Youth Uniforms: Marine Division


Figure 1.--The Marine Division of the Hitler Youth wore the enlisted uniform of the Kriegsmarine.

The naval branch of the Hitler Youth Movement was created to foster and promote an interest in ships and sailing. Boys from coastal areas around Germany and those parts of Germany near large expanses of inland water and waterways were encouraged to join these Marine-HJ units. When membership of the HJ became compulsory in 1939, these naval units became a valuable means of teaching these youngsters the art of seamanship in preparation for their possible or eventual entry into the regular wartime Kriegsmarine. The boys wore a basic uniform of enlisted personel in the Kriegsmarine.

Background

The naval branch of the Hitler Youth Movement was created to foster and promote an interest in ships and sailing. Boys from coastal areas around Germany and those parts of Germany near large expanses of inland water and waterways were encouraged to join these Marine-HJ units. When membership of the HJ became compulsory in 1939, these naval units became a valuable means of teaching these youngsters the art of seamanship in preparation for their possible or eventual entry into the regular wartime Kriegsmarine.

Uniform

The boys wore a basic uniform of enlisted personel in the Kriegsmarine. Many aspects of the uniforms worn by members of the Marine-HJ were based on those uniforms. The most notable difference was the use of white metal insignia and fittings in place of the gilt coloured items used by the Kriegsmarine, and for that matter the Marine-SA. The leadership of the Marine-HJ was furnished by qualified older youths or adults, normally acting as instructors. Their uniform was very similar to that worn by members of the Marine-SA.

Cap

The bous wore a black soft sailor cap with I think the number and town of their Hitler Youth unit. On the image here there are numbers before and after the boys' city, Berlin. I'm not sure just what the numbers are for. Note the red and white diamond-shaped pin on their caps. This is the same device as on their Hitler Youth knives. Notice the streamer on their caps.


Figure 2.--This Hitler Youth boy hasd an extremely short hair cut and seems to be wearing a white "T" shirt under his middy blouse.

Middy blouse

The boys wear the classic winter sailor uniform for enlisted personnel of the riegsmarine. Notice the classic three stripes on their blouses.

Pants

I'm not sure what kind of pants the boys wore.

Belts

Shoulder straps worn by members of the Marine-HJ which were the only systematic visual method employed to indicate rank differed from the final pattern shoulder straps used by the rest of the Hitler Youth and introduced during 1938. The Marine-HJ shoulder straps were of dark navy blue piped yellow whereas the rest of the HJ were in black and piped in various colours according to their branch of HJ service.








Christopher Wagner






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Created: September 12, 2000
Last updated: September 12, 2000