Hello,
Last week I received a inhabitants card from a city archive regarding a SS-Untersturmführer. On this card was also written Osteinsatz der Hitlerjugend. This was in October 1942.
Now, I thought this would be the Landdienst der Hitlerjugend, but that would be a contradiction because as far as my information goes at that time, he served as a Jungenschaftsführer (Or Gefolgschaftsführer) with the Deutsches Jungvolk or was at Köslin at the Lehrerbildungsanstalt.
Could someone explain what Osteinsatz der Hitlerjugend was?
With kind regards,
Koen.
Some contradictions
Moderator: John W. Howard
Re: Some contradictions
Hi Koen,
as far as I can tell, Osteinsatz was a programme launched by the BDM after the invasion of Poland in 1939 to help with the Germanification of the local population of German origin. As well as working on farms and in businesses, the action also taught German traditions and even the language for those whose grasp might not be that good despite their ethnic background.
I suppose that that the HJ joined the girls in this work, although to what extent and exactly how don't know.
HTH
as far as I can tell, Osteinsatz was a programme launched by the BDM after the invasion of Poland in 1939 to help with the Germanification of the local population of German origin. As well as working on farms and in businesses, the action also taught German traditions and even the language for those whose grasp might not be that good despite their ethnic background.
I suppose that that the HJ joined the girls in this work, although to what extent and exactly how don't know.
HTH
Regards
Howard
Howard
Re: Some contradictions
The HJ did Osteinsätze aswell as the BDM. Before the war with the soviet union, the young people did
work in east prussia for example, or parts of poland. They were helping the local citizens, especially the
farmers, with their work.
The idea of the Osteinsätze was primarily to educate the young people,
make them familiar with farmers work and give them the experience of a big adventure in a place far from home.
Howard names another reason why this missions was done, they wanted to spread the german culture and language
in the eastern territory, and also wanted to show they are either helpful than dangerous.
There was a very good book published, about the Hitlerjugend in general, and the Osteinsätze in specific. Unfortunately
so far it has only been published in german language, and its quite expensive (~370$). If you want to have a look for it,
the author is called Dr. Michael Buddrus, the work is called "Totale Erziehung für den totalen Krieg. Hitlerjugend und national-sozialistische Jugendpolitik" - Total education for a total war. Hitleryouth and national socialist youth politics.
work in east prussia for example, or parts of poland. They were helping the local citizens, especially the
farmers, with their work.
The idea of the Osteinsätze was primarily to educate the young people,
make them familiar with farmers work and give them the experience of a big adventure in a place far from home.
Howard names another reason why this missions was done, they wanted to spread the german culture and language
in the eastern territory, and also wanted to show they are either helpful than dangerous.
There was a very good book published, about the Hitlerjugend in general, and the Osteinsätze in specific. Unfortunately
so far it has only been published in german language, and its quite expensive (~370$). If you want to have a look for it,
the author is called Dr. Michael Buddrus, the work is called "Totale Erziehung für den totalen Krieg. Hitlerjugend und national-sozialistische Jugendpolitik" - Total education for a total war. Hitleryouth and national socialist youth politics.