The Hitler Youth Origins and development 1922-45 by H. W Koch

The Hitler Youth Origins and development 1922-45 by H. W Koch describes the philosophical beginnings of the youth movement in the states that would become Germany during Napoleon's invasions through the fall of the Third Reich. The impression is often given that the Hitler youth was something like a perverted Boy Scouts but the book describes it as much more. There was even an attempt to create a parallel education system for the more "gifted" amongst them.

We get discussions of the various activities of the groups and their involvement in the second world war. The actual involvement in military operations is glossed over. There is mentioned of the 12th SS division but there is no mention of its participation in the murder of Canadian POWs. Considering one of the tenants of the book is that the Hitler youth failed in its goals of inculcated Nazi ideals this would seem to contradict so perhaps that's why it was not mentioned.

Interesting if partially flawed.




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