v Primary Sources v

Baldur von Schirach was born in Berlin on 9th March, 1907. At the age of ten he became a member of the Young Germans' League where he developed racist views and in 1925 he joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP).

In 1926 Schirach met Adolf Hitler who took a liking to him and advised him to move to Munich. Three years later Hitler appointed Schirach as head of the National Socialist Students' Union. Satisfied with his work Hitler promoted him to the post of Reich youth leader of the Nazi Party and in 1933 he took over the leadership of the Hitler Youth.

Schirach wrote prayers that praised Hitler and had to be read by members of the various Nazi youth organizations before they had their meals. He also wrote a book explaining his views on the Hitler youth movement, Revolution in Education (1938).

In 1940 Schirach joined the German Army and won the Iron Cross in France. Later that year Hitler appointed him as the Gauleiter of Vienna. Over the next few years Schirach was responsible for moving Jews from Vienna to Poland.

Schirach was captured by Allied troops at the end of the Second World War. At the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial Schirach that he did not know about the extermination camps. He also provided evidence that he had protested to Martin Bormann about the inhumane treatment of the Jews.

Along with Albert Speer Schirach denounced Adolf Hitler before the tribunal. He was found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Baldur von Schirach died on 8th August, 1974.

^ Main Article ^

(1) In 1936 Baldur von Schirach wrote a poem about Adolf Hitler.

That is the greatest thing about him,

That he is not only our leader and a great hero,

But himself, upright, firm and simple,

In him the roots of our world.

And his soul touches the stars

And yet he remains a man like you and me.

(2) Baldur von Schirach wrote a prayer that had to be said by members of the Hitler Youth before meals.

Fuehrer, my Fuehrer given me by God,

Protect and preserve my life for long.

You rescued Germany from its deepest need.

I thank you for my daily bread.

Stay for a long time with me, leave me not.

Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, my faith, my light

Hail my Fuehrer.