Figure 1.--These NJS boys are on an outing. The photograph is undated, but was orobably taken in 1941-42. Here the leader wears the same uniform as the younger boys except for the shoukder attachment to his belt. Note that only one boy wears the uniform cap. Click on the image to find out what the posters say.

The basic uniform for each Jeugdstorm unit are described above. There were many detailed uniform items besides the basic uniform garments of cap, shirt, and shorts. All Jeugdstorm members, officers and boys, wore a black astrakhan cap. The only exception was the Marine Jeugdstorm. The astrakhan cap was black with a red top, and on the left side a white sea mew on a blue circle. The scarf or neckerchief was also black or dark-blue. Some boys buttoned their collar when wearing the scarfe. Others wore the scarfe unbuttoned. The shirt was a sky-blue of color. They look almost white in the black and white photographs. The shirts were long sleeved. The boys often rolled up their sleeves. The official pants for the uniform were black shorts. Male officers (adults over 18 years) were authorized to wear black breeches and top boots. Clothing was rationed during the War and became increasingly difficult to get as the War turned against the Germans. You would occassionally see Jeugdstorm boys wearing brown shorts--meaning he or his brother had formerly been a Scout. Like the Hitler Youth, there were belt buckles and insignia worn on the shirt. There were seasonal uniform garments. The simmer uniform was similar to the HJ. The Winter uniform appears virtually identical.

Caps

All Jeugdstorm members, officers and boys, wore a black astrakhan cap. The only exception was the Marine Jeugdstorm. The astrakhan cap was black with a red top, and on the left side a white sea mew on a blue circle. The most interesting thing of the Jeugdstorm uniform was the head covering. It looked like the black velvet "topi" Indonesian Muslims are wearing. The scarf or neckerchief was also black or dark-blue.They were black also, but the material was like angora wool with tiny black curls. On top vertically through the center was an opening that showed an orange-colored fabric, as shiny as silk, actually amazing, because orange was a very patriotic Dutch color, after all the royal family which was openly oposing the Germans from exile in London was the House of Orange-Nassau.

Scarfe

The scarf or neckerchief was also black or dark-blue. Some boys buttoned their collar when wearing the scarfe. Others wore the scarfe unbuttoned. Some images show boys that look to be wearing neckties more than neckerchiefs, but as far as we know the official uniform neckwear item was the neckerchief.

Shirts

The shirt was a sky-blue of color. They look almost white in the black and white photographs. The shirts were long sleeved. The boys often rolled up their sleeves. Note that the leader wears the same uniform as the younger boys except for the shoukder attachment to his belt. The shirt had matching breast poxkets with flaps.

Pants

The official pants for the uniform were black shorts. Clothing was rationed fduring the War and became increasingly difficult to get as the War turned against the Germans. You would occassionally see Jeugdstorm boys wearing brown shorts--meaning he or his brother had formerly been a Scout.

Breeches

Male officers (adults over 18 years) were authorized to wear black breeches and top boots. Officers above the rank of Hopman (Captain) were authorized to wear a black tunic with a "Sam Nrowne" belt and cross strap. Female officers wore a black skirt and tunic. They also wore a beret which had a sea mew in a circle badge on the left side.

Hosiery

Most youth groups in the 1940s had uniforms with kneesocks. The NJS uniform appears to have been ankle socks. Almost all the available images show the boys weaing dark ankle socks rathger than kneesocks. I'm not sure why this was. Kneesocks appear to have been widely worn by Dutch boys and were worn by Dutch Scouts more they were banned by NAZI occupation authorities.

Daggers

Some Jeugdstorm boys were allowed to carry official daggers with the motto "Moed, Eer en Trouw" which meant "Courage, Honor, and Loyalty". This appears to have been coped from the Hitler Youth. The daggers were not standard issue, but may have been given as awards for achievement. The dagger was of course the prized possession of many Hitler Youth boys.

Seagul Symbol

The Dutch with their maritime tradition have had a special attachments to sea gulls. Interestingly, both Dutch and Flemish youth groups used this sea gull a its main symbol. The Jeugdstorm symbol was rendered in a more naturalistic form. The symbol can often be seen at Jeugdstorm processions and events.

Rank Insignia

A major change in the rank insignia was made in 1941. Initially ranks were indicated by a combination of different colored stars and lanyards (or aguilettes). The stars were worn on, or above, the flap of the left breast pocket (even though dress regulations state "the left upper arm"). The original type of insignia was worn by both gender, but the new ratings took distinct forms for each gender. Male officers wore ranks on royal blue collar patches; while female ratings were in the form of circles on the left arm. The male ratings were very similar to the Hitler Youth and the Flemish NSJV. The "Stamheer" rank, for example, had four stars as the Hitler Youth Stammührer rathing badge had. The comparable Flemish NSJV badge also had four stars.

Other Features

There were several other features of the Jeugdstorm uniform. Regional (Gewest) leaders had broad silver piping around both collar patches. On the left breast pocket they wore a shield with the coat of arms of thart Region. Initials were by special officers on the left shoulder strap: Administration (A), Finance (F), Propaganda (P), Secretarial Staff (S), Instructors (I), Company Instructor (VI), and Troop Instructor (TI).

Inspectors

Jeugdstorm Inspectors wore standard officer uniforms, but with the additiion of a black cuff band with a silver wire sea mew. (Musicians in the early years wore orange colored "swallow nests". After 1940 this was changed to a blue tassel from each shoulder. A badge for drummers was introduced in 1944. (Drumming was, like the Hitler Youth, especially important in the Jeugdstorm pagentry. The badge was a white lyre on a blue circle. On the left sleeve specialist instructors wore a badge to identify their specialty: horn playing (a French horn), drumming (crossed drum sticks), other musical instruments (a harp), sport (a football), unarmed combat (a hand), signalling (crossed signal flags), first aid (an Aesculapis staff), and swimming (two waves).