Original German WWII HJ National Youth Organization Unit Marked Parade Standard Flag – 46” x 70” Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a WWII German HJ National Youth Organization Unit Marked parade flag! The flag measures 46″ x 70″ and is a double sided multi-piece design, which looks to be made entirely from canvas, without any wool used in the construction. The main body of the flags is three pieces, with the HJ “mobile’ swas insignia on each side being made from a white diamond with a sewn on black swas. The flag has a sturdy web header on one end, with 6 of the 7 original aluminum rings attached to web loops so the flag could be attached to a pole. The rings area all maker marked on the interior with ((RZM)) M3/40/38, which indicates manufacture in 1938 by Gebrüder Cosack. “M3” is the RZM code for “party emblem” manufacture, which included the rings used on party flags.

These flags were used to identify the different companies and elements within the HJ and would have a unit patch featured in the corner. This flag has an white 5″ x 7 1/2″ rectangle, bordered on the edges with black, and containing the black embroidered unit designation 16 / 533. We have unfortunately not been able to find anything about this particular unit, and leave it as a great opportunity for further research. The flag is in very good condition, showing some age toning, staining, and wear from age, but still presenting beautifully. There are a few small holes and tears in fabric, which is to be expected, as well as stains in areas from water, rust, and other stain producing materials. As noted before one of the 7 hanger rings is missing.

A genuine WW2 German HJ Youth flag in this condition is unlikely to be encountered again anytime soon! Comes ready to display.

The German National Youth Organization, often abbreviated as HJ, was the youth organization of the NSDAP Party in Germany. Its origins date back to 1922 and it received the name H-Jugend, Bund deutscher Arbeiterjugend (“H Youth, League of German Worker Youth”) in July 1926. From 1936 until 1945, it was the sole official boys’ youth organization in Germany and it was partially a paramilitary organization. It was composed of the HJ Youth proper for male youths aged 14 to 18, and the German Youngsters in the HJ Youth (Deutsches Jungvolk in der HJugend or “DJ”, also “DJV”) for younger boys aged 10 to 14.

With the surrender of NSDAP Germany in 1945, the organization de facto ceased to exist. On 10 October 1945, the Youth and its subordinate units were outlawed by the Allied Control Council along with other NSDAP Party organizations. Under Section 86 of the Criminal Code of the Federal Republic of Germany, the H Youth is an “unconstitutional organization” and the distribution or public use of its symbols, except for educational or research purposes, is illegal.