Background: The “Pimpfs” were members of the Nazi organization for young boys, part of the Hitler Youth. This article, from Morgen, the monthly for boys aged 10-14, praises presents Nazism as the force that gave faith back to Germany. It is a good example of the pseudo-religious rhetoric Nazism commonly used. The source: Heinz Dieter, “Untitled,” Morgen, September 1935. Untitled Essay by Heinz Dieter We were born at night and were without god until one came and called us to the flag. We went into the night and bore within us the longing for day. But the day remained only a longing in our hearts. We stood amidst collapse and our passionate lives demanded laws under which we could do something. But collapse continued. What seemed strong today was weak tomorrow; what was supposedly holy today was thrown into the filth tomorrow. Ideas followed each other like days on the calendar. Our longing turned to desperation, crushing our hearts, hammering into our brains. Some wanted us to forget our inner despair, and taught us to lose ourselves in the pleasures of our senses; others found salvation in affirming the senselessness of life. We despised both. We strove for that which lifted us from our own lives, something that could give our lives higher meaning. But it was still night. Our faith died. In this desolation, a Führer called to his followers. His flag demanded privation and battle: For Germany. We saw the greatness of life and swore an oath to the Führer. He and his teaching became our law. The deepest of faiths grew with in us, allowing us to hold fast, to march on despite contempt and falsehood and hatred. No fist, no prohibition, no weapon could stop us. Dawn broke the hold of night, and morning followed. In his dawning light, we strode into the new day. Now some came to us as the light first dawned, and said our belief was false. They who in the darkness could not take the need from our heart were weak. We laughed at their words. A thousand columns were marching: workers, farmers, and soldiers. The army of the youth is ready. All of our eyes shone with the light of faith in the divine. When we stand before the Führer in Nuremberg and he reviews our columns, we sense most deeply the spirit of the new age. Taking strength from his words, our affirmation of the Reich grows stronger and more powerful, and our ranks close up even more firmly. Our columns march irresistibly through the streets. Life marches as steel! Hard, implacable, and faithful: each feels the force of a great age. It is an age in which a people affirms the spade, the machine, the weapon, but also the beauty of this life. The eagle flies on the banners. We believe in its path. It means battle, the Reich, and god. Hail to the Führer, who gave us faith.   [Page copyright © 2005 by Randall Bytwerk. No unauthorized reproduction. My e-mail address is available on the FAQ page.] Go to the Der Pimpf Page Go to the 1933-1945 Page. Go to the German Propaganda Home Page.