The Hitler Youth - War

This episode in ZDF’s 6-part documentary series looks at how youngsters in the Hitler Youth were trained as firefighters, industry workers, and messengers, and ultimately as fighting units. Praising loyalty, romantic views of battle, glory and heroic death, the Nazi education system toughen them up through encouragement of cruelty to animals and ruthlessness. Veterans comment here on the fanatacism and effectiveness of Hitler Youth regiments in the frontline battles in France and Belgium. Also discussed here is an incident in which the SS ordered local Hitler Youths to round up and execute some 50 or more prisoners who had escaped from a train during an air raid.