Hitler Youth

The Hitler Youth (German: Hitler-Jugend, abbreviated HJ) was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party that existed from 1922 to 1945. The Hitler Youth was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after the Sturmabteilung (SA) Stormtroopers.

Post World War II

After the defeat of Germany, some Hitler Youth served as members of Werwolf cells, continuing to resist the Allied Powers as snipers and saboteurs.

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The Hitler Youth was disbanded by Allied authorities as an integral part of the Nazi Party. Some members of the Hitler Youth were accused of war crimes; however, as the organization was staffed with children, no serious efforts were made to prosecute these claims.

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While the entire Hitler Youth was never declared a criminal organization, the Hitler Youth adult leadership corps was deemed to have committed crimes against peace in corrupting the young minds of Germany. Many top HJ leaders were put on trial by Allied authorities, with Baldur von Schirach sentenced to twenty years in prison.

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