Opposition 1939-45
Youth Movements:
- Most Young people in Germany were loyal members of either the Hitler Youth or German Girl’s League- Both compulsory as of 1939.Wrong to believe the regime won over entire Nazi youth.
- Some youngsters objected to strong indoctrination and discipline, preferring instead to form non-conformist youth groups and gangs who engaged in protest against the N.R.
Edelweiss Pirates:
- Emerged late 1930s, located in the working class districts in a number of west German towns: Dusseldorf, Cologne most notably.
- Consisted primarily of 12-18 year old boys who had no distinctive political ideology but great antipathy towards the grim uniformity of the Hitler Youth and the general lack of freedom in Nazi Germany.
- Spontaneous movement.
- “Eternal war on the Hitler Youth”. Breaking free from Nazi Discipline, the Edelweiss Pirates went on long hikes, carrying rucksacks. They took camping excursions at a time where the N.R was placing higher strain on travel limitations. Sing Parodies of Hitler Youth / tell dirty jokes.
- It was difficult for the Nazi authorities to distinguish their behaviour from less politically challenging forms of juvenile delinquency.
- It was during the war years, 1939-45, with a reduction in parental supervision and the severe disruption to local leisure facilities caused by increased allied raids that the ‘subversive’ activities of the Edelweiss Pirates grew markedly.
- In the cities, they took part in pitched battles against the Hitler Youth and in the subways, daubed slogans such as, “Down with Hitler – We want Freedom”.
- Shielded army deserters. Engaged with other groups, communists, in acts of industrial sabotage. Shows how youthful rebellion increasingly turned to active resistance.
- Gestapo crackdown on Pirates. December 1942, 739 Pirates were arrested in 4 major German cities. Placed in re-education camps designed to instill conformity to Nazi Ideals.
- 1944 – SS “Decree on the combating of Youth Gangs”. Cologne public hangings.