| Führer und Reichskanzler (“Leader and Reich Chancellor”) Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) arrives at the Zeppelinwiese (“Zeppelin field”) for the 1936 Reichsparteitag in his Mercedes Benz 770 at approximately 1000 Hours. Hitler is standing in the Mercedes, next to Obersturmbannführer Erich Kempka (September 16, 1910 – January 24, 1975), Chef des Kraftfahrwesens beim Führer und Reichskanzler (“Chief of the Führer’s and Reich Chancellor’s Fleet of Cars.”) Kempka liked Adolf Hitler a great deal, though for a man of Kempka’s character, blonde, handsome, rough, coarse, that was not difficult. It is likely the other man in the Mercedes is Oberst Konstantin Hierl (February 24, 1875 – September 23, 1955), head of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (“Nazi German Reich Labor Service”). “The vehicle itself is a very powerful symbol,” says Canadian War Museum historian Andrew Burtch (born 1979). Burtch adds that the 770K is more than a symbol of the despot who motored around in it. The limousine’s “propaganda power [is] an expression of political power.” In other words, the sleek and muscular limousine embodies not only the hypnotic sway of Hitler’s stagecraft but testifies to the result of placing the power of state in the hands of such a man. “The immediate consequences of [Hitler’s] power,” Burtch says, “led to world catastrophe.” The 3rd day of the rally was devoted to the Reichsarbeitsdienst. A parade was held in the Zeppelinwiese, which had been enlarged and altered since the previous rally. It now covered an area of 90,000 square meters and was capable of holding 250,000 men; the number of seats for spectators had also been increased from 50,000 to 70,000. With knapsacks and blankets on their backs, and spades on their shoulders, 90,000 picked men of the corps paraded before Hitler in the arena. Although the men represented only 1/10 of the German Labor Service, the whole organization celebrated. Radio broadcasts across the country carried the commands spoken on the Zeppelinwiese, and the labor men sang and marched as though they, too, were in the show at Nuremberg.” The sky was gray and threatening when Hitler arrived at the Stadium, but in spite of the weather the stands were filled to capacity. 12 A company of buglers and drummers at the front of the tribune signaled Hitler’s arrival, and the people rose and cheered him. Immediately the Labor Service began its march before Hitler, who stood in his car and took the salute as the regiments passed him. Except for the fact that they did not have rifles and ammunition belts, the marchers could not be distinguished from regular troops, The New York Times reported. Their spades on their shoulders, the men marched for 1 1/2 hours. 6 of the 8 battalions were accompanied by bands, the other 2 sang; these last 2 were capless and stripped to the waist, for they were parading during working hours. Behind the men came the massed banners of the Labor Service. It was during this rally that the Labor Service men performed a new Nazi ritual-1 typical of the party’s attempts to create a pseudo-religious cult as a substitute for Christian worship. The regiments held their spades at “present arms” and then stood at attention. From a loudspeaker in the center of the grandstand, a clear voice sounded over the field: “Once a year the spade shall rest. Once a year there comes for us the time to stand before our Führer, for whom we work day by day. In this hour, new faith is kindled.” “We are ready,” responded the regiments in chorus. After the whole assembly had sung a song, the voice again chanted: “No one is too good…” and the men, standing with their hands clasped on their grounded spades, completed the sentence: “…to work for Germany.” “No one is too humble…” — chanted the voice — “…to work for Germany,” came the response from the ranks again. “Each has the right and each has the duty,” proclaimed the voice. And again the chorus repeated the refrain, “…to work for Germany, the Fatherland.” From the ranks came a new voice: “We have carried you deep in our hearts, but we cannot say it in words.” “Germany, Fatherland,” chanted the chorus. The voice continued: “Then the law came, work became duty. Now we all stand side by side.” “Germany, Fatherland,” came the response. “The fulfillment of duty for us is not serfdom. We carry the spade in the service of the nation. We come before you as workers,” chanted the voice. “Germany, Fatherland,” answered the chorus once again. “The Führer wants to give the world peace.” “Wherever he leads, we follow,” responded the Labor Service men. They joined in another song, and then the voice took up its chant again: “We lift up our heads and think of our brothers who suffered in the trenches, and of the others who fought murder and hatred in the streets. They died for Germany.” And the chorus responded: “But today we can live for Germany.” The structure of the chanting and the response are obviously an imitation of church ritual. The party leadership consciously increased the mystical and religious aspects of the Nazi ceremonies. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1994.jpg |
| Image Size | 740.61 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2672 x 1984 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 10, 1936 |
| Location | |
| City | Nuremberg |
| State or Province | Bavaria |
| 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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