Nazi Racial Instruction Plans for Teachers

I've added sections from a 1937 Nazi book titled Erblehre und Rassenkunde für die Grund- und Hauptschule. It provided information for teachers on how to present Nazi racial theory to 4th through 8th graders. This was published before the German-Japanese alliance, so the Japanese are still seen as a threat to the European races.

An Episode of "Tran und Helle"

Tran und Helle was a series of 2-3 minute skits, shown as part of the newsreel before the feature during World War II in Germany. Tran, played by Ludwig Schmitz, was the conniver, always trying to hoard goods, shop on the black market, etc. Helle, played by Jupp Hussels, was the voice of good behavior. I've added a summary of a skit titled "Prisoner of War." The illustration is the cover of the pamphlet from which I take the skit.

A Nazi Mother's Day Card (1944)

The last Mother's Day of the Nazi period was celebrated, if that is the right word, in 1944. Millions of women had lost husbands and sons on the battlefield, or children to Allied bombs. I've added a 1944 Mother's Day card, prepared by the party's Main Culture Office, which attempted to give some consolation to grieving women, assuring them that their loved ones were still somehow alive, that their sacrifice had been worthwhile.

1943 Nazi Speaker Guidelines on U-boats

In February and March of 1943, there was not a lot of good news for the Nazis. Stalingrad had fallen in early February. The one bright spot was submarine warfare, where German U-boats were still sinking Allied ships in large numbers. I've translated instructions to Nazi speakers on what to say in their speeches about U-boat warfare. This was significant material, since it formed the basis for thousands of speeches delivered by Nazi orators throughout Germany.

Nazi Racial Education Wall Charts

I've added a page of educational wall charts on racial issues. These were widely used in schools during the Nazi era. My copy does not have the anti-Semitic charts that came with the package. The Nazis promoted having as many children as possible, arguing that Germany faced extinction if the birthrate did not increase, and that it would be better off without various "inferior" types of people.

Hitler Speaks in Gera (1931)

The Illustrierter Beobachter, the Nazi Party's illustrated weekly, gave extensive coverage to Nazi activities. This article, from September 1931, reports on a Hitler visit to Gera.

Color Photographs from 1933

Since most pictures of the Third Reich are in black and white, it is easy to forget how colorful a phenomenon it was. I've added a page from a "bestseller" of the early years of Nazi Germany with a collection of photographs in color. I think the pictures were actually taken in black and white, since some of them pre-date the introduction of color film, but I don't know much about the process. Should any reader know more, I'd appreciate being informed.

Two examples. The first shows Hitler with the "Blood flag," carried during the Beer Hall Putsch of 1933. It was probably the most "sacred" Nazi relic. The second shows Horst Wessel, the author of the party's hymn, at the head of an S.A. column at the 1929 Nuremberg Rally.