R & A No. 3113.7 / Principal Nazi Organizations Involved in the ...

Oo Hitler Jugend f gl tier Youth)
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1. Definition,, The Hitler Jugend (H.J.-Hitler Youth)
was a formation of the National Socialist Party which
exercised control over all Gorman youth, It was originally
a volunteer activity; soon after the Na^is» advent to
power, it became the state-sponsored organization for youth,
although membership still remained voluntary, but by 1939,
HJ membership was nade compulsory for all German youth0
2» Legal Basis«, The first fundamental decree concerning
the Hitler Youth appeared on 1 December 1936. It provided
thatall German youth within the Reich territory were to be
organized in the HJ» The task of educating the Hitler
Youth was entrusted to the Reichsjugenöfuhrer of the NSDAP,
one of the Reichsleiter of the Party, who was henceforth
• ••! *» •! Ill II* — • "'
called Youth Leader of the German Reich, His office was
in Berlin, and he was responsible directly to the Fuhrer.
This decree was amended by two decrees of 25 March
1939 by which membership in the Hitler Youth was made
obligatory for all boys and ßlrla between the ages of
10 and 18. Youths with certain physical infirmities were
exempted, while Jews were ineligible. The amendments also
established four categories of membership within the Hitler
Youth and specified certain penalties for any who attempted
to evade service in the Hitler Youtho The categories of
toeabership will be discussed below.