UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons HJ Edged Weapons Forum Motto stopped in 1938?

Gentlemen,

Just wonder why the HJ motto was stopped in 1938. Other political organisations also started using "ersatz" material, but they never gave up their motto.
My guess would be that it had to do with the fact that all the other youth organisations were absorbed into the Hitler Youth, like the catholic and protestant youth and that they wanted the official dagger to be more "neutral"...

Does anyone knows the official reason why this happened and the (historical) source that states it?

Best greetings,

Herman

I always wondered that as well. I guess the RZM was stamped in as standard soon after 1938 on most HJ's, so acid etching the motto was another step in making the knife....maybe just cheapening or speeding up production?

John

It is my believe that it has to do with the fact that around that time (1938-39) all the other German youth organisations (like the Catholic youth, the Protestant youth and other organisations) were fully integrated in the Hitler Youth (which was before only for children of those that sympathised with the Nazis). It could have been part of the deal with the catholic cardinal that "his youth" would not carry a dagger with such a non-religious motto. I really see no other reason, I do not believe that the Nazis would have given up their motto for the cost effectiveness of the producers of these knifes.

Best greetings,

Herman