| Bund Deutscher Mädel (literally “Band of German Maidens” or League of German Girls), mostly flying the flag of the Breslau unit, form up waiting to hear speakers from the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP (“National Socialist German Workers’ Party”) at the Nationalsozialistische 1. Reichs-Jugendtag 1932 (“First Annual Hitler Youth Day” 1932). The 1932 Hitlerjugend (“Hitler Youth”) rally was intended to activate support for the upcoming elections. The Bund Deutscher Mädel was inaugurated at 1. Reichs-Jugendtag 1932. The New York Times reported on October 2, 1932: “Hitler Addresses Huge Youth Rally – 30,000 Boys and Girls From All Germany Hear Leader as Nazi Field Day Begins at Potsdam.” “Potsdam, Germany, October 1 – The National Socialist youth field day opened tonight with a huge mass meeting in the Potsdam Stadium, where about thirty thousand boys and girls in brown uniforms listened spellbound to Adolf Hitler’s oratory. The youthful Nazis have come to Potsdam from all parts of the country, and many hiked for many days because they did not have the fare.” “A huge tent city has been built just outside Potsdam by the Berlin storm detachments, and the youngsters will spend their nights there supervised by the older comrades. The management of the camp is in the hands of [Reichsjugendführer] Baldur von Schirach [(May 9, 1907 – August 8, 1974)], the Hitler Youth leader who at twenty-five, Was the youngest Deputy in the last Reichstag.” “Herr von Schirach Introduced Herr Hitler to the boys and girls, 1ined up in the middle of the stadium. which was filled with more than fifty thousand spectators. The police were forced to close the gates before the meeting started because the crowd kept streaming in although all seats had long been taken. Flags decorated with flowers were raised by the boys and girls in a joyous welcome when Herr Hitler stepped upon the platform.” “‘We must learn once more to feel as a nation and act as a nation if we want to stand up before the world,’ he said. ‘Not the generations that are about to disappear but those that are con1ing today must learn it. That is the great task of our movement. You shall fully accomplish what we have begun.’” “Raising his voice, Herr Hitler exclaimed: ‘Let no German boy ever bow to an injustice – be proud and defiant and never yield if others try to force you to commit an injustice. Never abandon your people and be more faithful than ever if it is in the greatest distress and danger.’” “He had to wait for several minutes because It seemed as if the cheers would never end.” “‘Through our movement a new and strong generation is growing up that has new courage and does not surrender. The spirit of the policy of fulfillment does not fit this generation.’” Active participants on the day wore the Potsdam badge embossed with the words “NS I. Reichs Jugendtag 1932” in silver. The bronze version was available for purchase by spectators/non-participants and was also sold prior to the event as a fund-raiser. Regulations issued May 15, 1937, stopped spectators from wearing the bronze version after that date. The silver version was unaffected and could continue to be worn. Bund Deutscher Mädel was outlawed in Germany on October 10, 1945. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1767.jpg |
| Image Size | 767.43 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 3000 x 2212 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | October 1, 1932 |
| Location | |
| City | Potsdam |
| State or Province | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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