Volkssturmmann
Encyclopedia
Volkssturmmann was a paramiltiary rank
of the Volkssturm
, the German militia
created to defend the German homeland in the last months of World War II
. The rank of Volkssturmmann carried no special uniform or insignia and the title was merely held by any person who was drafted to serve in the Volkssturm. The next senior rank of Volkssturmmann was that of Zugführer
.
Nazi Germany
's last-ditch effort to defend the fatherland during World War II
was dependent on the Volkssturmmann ranks. The Volkssturmmann, or "peoples army" took any able body, man or boy, ages 15–65. In most cases the Volkssturmmann was elderly men and Hitler Youth
fanatics. Unfortunately, for Nazi Germany, the Volkssturmmann was an ineffective force that was inadequately equipped, trained or disciplined.
In the closing months of World War II, the Volkssturmmann forces were most prominent along the defenses at the Rhine River and during the Battle of Berlin
. Even though the use of the Volkssturmmann was a clear indication of a defeated nation, Nazi propaganda
glorified the "people's army" as a force that would turn the tide in the war effort. Hitler would proclaim that although the once vast Nazi empire had diminished the fatherland could never be penetrated. Joseph Goebbels
also contributed heavily to Nazi propaganda. Goebbel's numerous speeches and opportunistic outlook called upon the German people to take up arms during the last months of World War II.
The Volkssturmmann's main objective was to halt the advance of allied forces
. During the last months of World War II, the western front
faced American and British forces while the eastern front
faced the Soviet army. By 1945, both western and eastern fronts had reached or entered the German homeland. Since the Volkssturmmann's goal was to halt the advance of enemy infantry and armored forces, the Volkssturmmann was trained to use the panzerfaust
, an anti-tank weapon, and the machine gun
. The use of these weapons was simple and required little training. Furthermore, the panzerfaust and machine gun were some of the last munitions that the German war machine had in vast supply.
Although glorified by the Nazi Party as the defenders of the fatherland, the Volkssturmmann was Germany's failed attempt to replenish their depleted forces. Grandfathers and boys dedicated to Hitler took up arms and fought to the death under the belief that, in the last months of the war, final victory was still possible. This disillusionment continued the war and established the Volkssturmmann as Hitler's "people's army".
Nazi party paramilitary ranks
Nazi party paramilitary ranks were pseudo-military titles which were used by the National Socialist German Workers Party between the years of 1920 and 1945...
of the Volkssturm
Volkssturm
The Volkssturm was a German national militia of the last months of World War II. It was founded on Adolf Hitler's orders on October 18, 1944 and conscripted males between the ages of 16 to 60 years who were not already serving in some military unit as part of a German Home Guard.-Origins and...
, the German militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
created to defend the German homeland in the last months of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The rank of Volkssturmmann carried no special uniform or insignia and the title was merely held by any person who was drafted to serve in the Volkssturm. The next senior rank of Volkssturmmann was that of Zugführer
Zugführer
Zugführer was a paramilitary title of Nazi Germany which is most often associated with the Volkssturm. Translated as "Platoon Leader", a Zugführer of the Volkssturm would oversee a platoon sized formation of Volkssturmmann....
.
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
's last-ditch effort to defend the fatherland during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was dependent on the Volkssturmmann ranks. The Volkssturmmann, or "peoples army" took any able body, man or boy, ages 15–65. In most cases the Volkssturmmann was elderly men and Hitler Youth
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung...
fanatics. Unfortunately, for Nazi Germany, the Volkssturmmann was an ineffective force that was inadequately equipped, trained or disciplined.
In the closing months of World War II, the Volkssturmmann forces were most prominent along the defenses at the Rhine River and during the Battle of Berlin
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin, designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union, was the final major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II....
. Even though the use of the Volkssturmmann was a clear indication of a defeated nation, Nazi propaganda
Nazi propaganda
Propaganda, the coordinated attempt to influence public opinion through the use of media, was skillfully used by the NSDAP in the years leading up to and during Adolf Hitler's leadership of Germany...
glorified the "people's army" as a force that would turn the tide in the war effort. Hitler would proclaim that although the once vast Nazi empire had diminished the fatherland could never be penetrated. Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
also contributed heavily to Nazi propaganda. Goebbel's numerous speeches and opportunistic outlook called upon the German people to take up arms during the last months of World War II.
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
. During the last months of World War II, the western front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
faced American and British forces while the eastern front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
faced the Soviet army. By 1945, both western and eastern fronts had reached or entered the German homeland. Since the Volkssturmmann's goal was to halt the advance of enemy infantry and armored forces, the Volkssturmmann was trained to use the panzerfaust
Panzerfaust
The Panzerfaust was an inexpensive, recoilless German anti-tank weapon of World War II. It consisted of a small, disposable preloaded launch tube firing a high explosive anti-tank warhead, operated by a single soldier...
, an anti-tank weapon, and the machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
. The use of these weapons was simple and required little training. Furthermore, the panzerfaust and machine gun were some of the last munitions that the German war machine had in vast supply.
Although glorified by the Nazi Party as the defenders of the fatherland, the Volkssturmmann was Germany's failed attempt to replenish their depleted forces. Grandfathers and boys dedicated to Hitler took up arms and fought to the death under the belief that, in the last months of the war, final victory was still possible. This disillusionment continued the war and established the Volkssturmmann as Hitler's "people's army".