Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Organization and Structure of the Hitler Youth


Organization and Structure of the Hitler Youth
By Cynthia A. Sandor

Overview


HJ Standort – HJ Garrison

The HJ Standort is the highest local authority on all matters concerning the German Youth. It is under the command of the Standortführer (Garrison Commander) and handles all administrative details with regard to the Reichsjugenddienstpflicht (Compulsory National Youth Service). 

The Standort maintains the individual youth’s personal records (Jugendstammblatt), which contain all personal data, information on activities, etc. in the greatest of detail.

Extracts of the most essential information are kept on the Karteikarte (Filing Card) held by the member’s unit and on the Dienstkarte (Service Card), which also serves as a personal identity card.

The Standort is not part of the HJ unit structure itself; it only acts as a local administrative authority. Sometimes the Standortführer (SOF) is often also the commander of a Bann.

Reichsjungenfuhrerin - National Youth Leadership (RJF)

The RJF controls the policy as well as the administration of the entire HJ. It is headed by the Reichsjugendführer (National Youth Leader) who is assisted by an Adjutant and a Stabsführer (Chief of Staff). The Reichsreferentin controls the HJ, the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM – League of German Girls) and the Jungmädel (JM – Young Girls), and is directly responsible to the Reichsjugendführer who is directly responsible to Adolf Hitler.

All rights reserved - Used by Permission
bdmhistory.com

HJ Obergebiete –The 43 Gebiete were divided into 6 Obergebiete with each Obergebiete totaling about 375,000 boys.

HJ Gebiete – HJ Regions

The HJ inside Greater Germany was organized into 43 Gebiete (Regions). Each Region corresponds to a specific Gau (District). In the Gebiet, there were about 20 Banne (Regiments) and 20 Jungbanne (DJ). In total, there were 223 Banne, totaling 75,000 boys.

Each Gebiet is headed by the Gebietsführer (Regional Leader), whose deputy is his Stabsleiter (Chief of Staff). Each Gebiet has a Gebietsführung (Regional HQ) and is organized into Hauptabteilungen (HA - Executive Sections) and special semi-independent offices. The function of the HA in general correspond to those of the Hauptämter (Departments) of the Reichsjugendführung (RJF), which controlled all administrative and political aspects of the HJ movement.

Each Gebiet administers and maintains schools and camps. Some Gebiete conduct special schools, such as music or medical schools or provide other specialist’s courses.

HJ – Bann- HJ Regiment

The Bann (Regiment) is the basic unit of the HJ. In a Gebiet (Region), there are 20 Banne. Each Bann consisted of 4 – 6 Stämme (Units), totaling about 3,000 boys. In 1943, the Jungbann (Young Regiment) of the DJ, parallel to the Bann was abolished and the DJ Jungstämme (Youth Tribes) was placed under the supervision of the HJ Bann.

Generally, each NSDAP-Kreis (Party not Governmental District) contained one corresponding HJ Bann, and its Headquarters are located in the same town as the corresponding NSDAP-Kreis HQ. Larger Banne sometimes organized their own schools and courses and some even operated youth hostels and homes as well as camping sites.

The Bann is led by the Bannführer (Regiment Leader) who frequently held the office of the Standortführer (Garrison Commander). He is assisted by the Adjutant and a Hauptstammführer.

The Bann administration is divided into 6 Hauptstellen (Executive Offices) the functions of which generally correspond to the 6 Hauptämter (Departments) of the RJF and the 6 parallel Hauptabteilungen (Executive Sections) of the Gebietsführung (Regional Command HQs).

An average Bann of about 6,000 is sub-divided into 5 Stämme (Tribes) of the HJ and 5 Jungstämme of the DJ with a strength of about 600 each. However, a large Bann of 9,000 may contain up to 15 Tribes.

Special Units of the Bann - Each Bann had some special service units, usually:

·         Motor-Stamm (Motorized)

·         Flieger-Stamm (Aviation) and

·         Nachrichten-Stamm (Signals)

These special service Stämme (tribes) are sub-divided in accordance with the established pattern of Gefolgschaft (Company), Schar (Platoon), and Kamaradschaft (Comradeship) as outlined below in the Organization of the Regiment Level of the HJ.

Among the smaller special service units found in the average Stämm (tribe) are:

·         One or two Musik-Gefolgschaften (Music Department)

·         A Sicherungsdienst (SRD) Gefolgschaft (Security Detachment) for patrolling, and

·         A Feuerwehr-Schar (Firefighting Platon)

Organization below the Regimental Level

HJ – Stämm – HJ Tribe (Original HJ)

From the Stämm downward the unit of organization is standardized. A Stämm is divided into 3 - 5 Gefolgschaften (Companies) 150 each. In the DJ, there were 3 – 5 Fähnlein (Squadron) with approximately 160 cubs each. Totaling 600 – 800 boys. (Later became known as an Unterbann).

HJ – GefolgschaftHJ Companies

The Gefolgschaft is organized up to 4 Scharen (Platoons) of 50 each, totaling up to 190 boys. In the DJ, the Gefolgschaft is equivalent to the Fähnlein (squadron) and contains 4 - Jungzüge units. Each Gefolgschaft, roughly the size of a military company, had its own flag, and was the primary unit. HJ boys identified themselves with this unit.

HJ – Schar - HJ Platoon

Each Schar was sub-divided into 4 Kameradschaften (Comradeship) of 15 each and the latter split into two Rotten (Files). Total 60 boys. In the DJ, the Schar is equivalent to the Jungzüge and contained 4 Jugenschaften. A total unit of one Platoon was as many as 60 boys.

HJ Kameradschaft - HJ Comradeship - was the smallest unit with 10 – 15 boys and was overseen by the Kammeradschaftsfüfrer in the HJ and in the DJ by the Jungenschaftsführer.

HJ Rotte - HJ File – consisted of about 7 boys (mostly left out of organizational charts of the HJ).

For information on the Oberbann, please visit HJ and DJ Cloth Insignia Collection

Hitler Jugend Ranks (boys 14-18)   (lowest to highest rank)
Deutsches Jungvolk Ranks (boys 10 - 14)   (lowest to highest rank)


Hitlerjunge
Pimpf
Kammeradschaftsführer
Jungenschaftsführer
Scharführer
Jungzugführer
Gefolgschaftsführer
Fähnleinführer
Stammführer
Unterbannführer
Bannführer
Jungbannführer
Oberbannführer
Gebietsführer
Obergebietsführer
Stabsführer

BDM - Bund Deutscher Mädchen (League of German Girls 14 to 18)
Lowest unit to highest unit
  • Mädelschaft was the smallest unit with 10 to 15 girls.
  • Mädelschar consisted of 3 or 4 Maedelschaften totaling 50-60.
  • Mädelgruppe consisted of 3 or 4 Maedelscharen totaling 150-190.
  • Mädelring consisted of 4 to 6 Gefolgschaften totaling 600-800.
  • Untergau consisted of 5 Maedelring totaling 3,000.
  • Gau consisted of 5 Untergaue totaling 15,000.
  • Obergau consisted of 5 Gaue totaling 75,000.
  • Gauverband consisted of 5 Obergaue totaling 375,000.

BDM Ranks (girls 14 - 18)   Lowest to highest rank
Deutsche Jungmädel Ranks (girls 10 - 14)   Lowest to highest rank

(Girls 10 to 14)
Mädel
Jungmädel
Mädelschaftsführerin
Jungmädelschaftsführerin
Mädelscharfürerin
JM-Scharführerin
Mädelgruppenführerin
JM-Gruppenführerin
Mädelringführerin
JM-Ringführerin
Untergauführerin
JM-Untergauführerin
Hauptmädelführerin
Obergauführerin
Reichsreferentin
Please Note:

The Untergau and Obergau of the "BDM" became obsolete.
The Obergau was abolished and the Untergau changed to BDM Bann.



For additional information on the League of German girls, please visit:


Photo on cover of "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth
© 2012 Cynthia A. Sandor

No un-authorized reproduction is allowed without the express written consent of the author.



Monday, January 12, 2015

May 2015 WWII Re-enactment events

RAILS TO VICTORY
Loc:
Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 South LaFox Street (IL 31), South Elgin, IL 60177
Dates: May 29-31,2015

Event Summary: We are proud to invite you to our 5th annual Rails to Victory (RTV) WW2 reenactment at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, Illinois, just West of Chicago.  RTV offers something for all impressions, both military and civilians.  RTV will once again be presenting the Occupied France Trolley Adventure with updated and new skits along our 3 miles of trolley track.  This is an opportunity for reenactors to immerse the public into history by putting them on a trolley and leading them through various period skits and battles. Wooded picturesque and sloping terrain along the Fox River offer unique and interesting landscapes for both reenactors and spectators.   Back by popular demand, a period WW2 BICYCLE RALLY & PARADE is scheduled for Sunday morning at 10:30 AM for a leisurely ride through the museum and down the Fox River Bicycle path to the Duerr Forest Preserve and back (approximately 3 miles round trip). Period bicycles of all kinds; military & civilian, and European & Homefront, are all invited to participate in our 2nd annual rally. Sunday's Schedule shall include a LARGE SCALE FIELD BATTLE at 1pm in and around the Museum's bone yard with all the railroad obstacles for defensive positions.  All vehicles including tracked vehicles and watercrafts are welcome to participate.

- A period WW2 Girls Baseball Home Front Game will once again be played on Sunday afternoon. Reenactors are encouraged to come over to watch the game and cheer on their favorite team; whether it be the Rockford Peaches, Kenosha Comets, Racine Bells, or South Bend Blue Sox.
- Opportunities for historical camp presentations are also welcome and can be presented both days of the event. Please contact us if you would like your presentation added to the printed schedule.
Camp Amenities: Flush Toilets on site. Shaded Camp sites can be reserved by early registrants on a first come first served bases.
Event Times:
- Friday, May 29: Reenactor check-in, 4pm to 10pm.;
- Saturday, May 30: Reenactor check-in, 8 am to 9:15am;
- Sunday, May 31: Reenactor check-in, 9am to 9:50am;
- Daily morning formations and S&A check;
- Museum Opens at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday;
- Visit the Event Web Site for Additional event details (schedules, maps, and updates).
Website:
http://www.railstovictory.com
Pre-Registration: http://railstovictory2015.eventbrite.com   (No Walk Ons accepted)
Fee: none
Contact: Rebecca Tulloch
becky1861@sbcglobal.net
Map: http://foxtrolley.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1146775
Directions: The Fox River Trolley Museum is located on Illinois Route 31, three blocks south of State Street in South Elgin, IL. at Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 South LaFox Street (Illinois Route 31),South Elgin, IL 60177
- From Chicago and the east: Take the Northwest Tollway (I-90) or US Route 20 west to Elgin. - - Exit on Illinois 31 southbound and follow posted detour at Spring Street (South Elgin).
- From the west and northwest: Take the Northwest Tollway (I-90) or US Route 20 east to Elgin. Exit on Illinois 31 southbound and follow posted detour at Spring Street (South Elgin).
- From the south: Take Illinois Route 59 north to Illinois Route 64. Turn west on 64 to Illinois Route 31 in St Charles. Take 31 north to the museum.
Authenticity Notes: HRS safety and authenticity rules apply.
Invited Vehicles/Items:  All WWII vehicles including tracked vehicles are welcome, weather conditions permitting; tracked vehicles may be limited to the gravel road and battle field.  Smaller vehicles such as Jeeps, Motorcycles, Kubels & Lightweight Trucks may drive on the grassy areas. A static vehicle honor display area has been established for all attending vehicles. Boats and other period water crafts such rafts are also welcome on the Fox River, but should contact us first prior to bringing out. River depth is only 2-3 feet in the vicinity of the museum.
Restrictions on Minors: HRS Rules
Other restrictions: No alcoholic beverages permitted in the Museum and County Park. No digging, but camp fires are allowed in above pits and military stoves and grills. No firing of weapons in the encampment area in County Park by Forest Preserve Ordinance; but okay in the designated battlefield areas on museum property.
Motels: Accommodations available in nearby Elgin and St. Charles Illinois: Hampton Inn, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites and West Dundee's Marriott International-Courtyard & Towne Place Suites; and in St. Charles: Best Western, Country Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Geneva Motel, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Baker, Pheasant Run Resort, and Super 8. Restaurants: There are eating establishments with in a very easy walk of the museum ranging in variety from hot dogs to pizza.