Hitler Youth

The Hitlerjugend or Hitler-Jugend abreviated HJ (Hitler Youth in English) was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung (the SA).

The HJ were viewed as future "Aryan supermen" and were indoctrinated in anti-Semitism. One aim was to instill the motivation that would enable HJ members, as soldiers, to fight faithfully for the Third Reich. The HJ put more emphasis on physical and military training than on academic study. The HJ was organized into corps under adult leaders, and the general membership comprised boys aged fourteen to eighteen. The HJ was also seen as an important stepping stone to future membership of the elite Schutzstaffel (the SS).

In 1940, Artur Axmann replaced Baldur von Schirach as Reichsjugendführer and took over leadership of the Hitler Youth. Axmann began to reform the group into an auxiliary force which could perform war duties.

The Hitler Youth was disbanded by Allied authorities in 1945 as part of the denazification process.

In Downfall
The Hitler Youth is an important part of the film, being a paralel story with Hitler's downfall. The role of the child-soldiers is meant to show the fanticism of the Nazi leaders and the futility of war. Notable members are Peter Kranz, Inge Dombrowski and the HJ sergeant. All of them are, however, fictional characters.

In Parodies
The Hitler Youth apear in many parodies. Many involve the scene with the AA nest.

The HJ are supposed to be the UBFA in Hitler Vs Justin Bieber fans.