From: Tom Holloway (tom.holloway@U3A.ORG.UK)
Date: Mon Feb 05 2001 - 02:32:23 PST
Ron Gillen said.... > I have also been told that in defense of german soil the Hitler Youth > fought against US infantry and tanks. > > Very late in the war I believe that youngsters a young as 12 were This is true. And the reason (and consequences) can be found in Heinz Barthel's eye-witness story at http://timewitnesses.org/english/~heinz1.html At this late stage the German Army was still hoping to persuade US forces to join with them and turn against the rapidly approaching Russian Army. Hitler Jugend groups were placed in defensive positions in order that regular troops could escape across the Elbe. I remember seeing newsreels of Hitler speaking to and decorating these young lads -- in fact these were the last films ever shown of him. ================ Tom Holloway tom.holloway@u3a.org.uk tom@holloways.org <=== private email http://timewitnesses.org 01926-771772