Salute Comrades, I have a question:

when WWII was ending, Hitler called for all men to join the German "Volkssturm", was this created by the end of 1944 or in 1945?????

Thanks

I'll spit ball and say 1945. It probably occurs when Goebbels declared German on a total war footing. If someone else can cite a reference I'd be a little smarter.
DJ

I just did a quick Google search - not much there on history, but based on one entry concerning the Hitler Youth, the Volkstrum (Home Guard) was formed during last several months of '44.

The think is that I have been doing a vignette of a german Volksturm and wanted to put some snow in it. Thanks for the advice.

Volkssturm started in October - November "44 in the light of the advances of the Russians on the Eastern Front. The "people's Army" was destined to guard over the pitiful remains of the once mighty 3rd Reich. During the battles for many German cities, including Berlin the Volssturm fought with varied effectiveness as the Russians rolled West.

They had several organizations of "volks" in their structure. Volksgrenadier were usually honorific titles, but I found several that were slap together air force and naval elements ( e.g. 18th Volksgrenadier Division). The Volkssturm were ragtag outfits composed of the very young (15 and above), the old and recovering veterans. Armed with the booty of every 1940 army in Europe, I recall they were cannon fodder during the Russian advance on Berlin. Most just surrendered in place.

I have an excellent book (Gotterdammerung 1945, Germany's Last Stand in the East, by Russ Schneider) with a number of photos of the Volkstrum - kind of reminds me of the Confederate Army of the American Civil War a mixed bag of uniforms, civilian clothes and whatever small arms they could scrounge together. The Volkstrum did have one weapon in abundance - the Panzerfaust (the great granddaddy of today's RPGs ). One Panzerfaust - one Russian Tank!! , if you lived that long!

Jeff-- thanks. I trust you and all out fellow Current Event Forum folks will contribute to the survey just posted.
Let's bring it back!

DJ

Already placed my vote - "YES"

Well, you can see my Volkssturm with his Panzerfaust here.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/23973&page=1

Thanks for all the info

Zverko

Z--- impressive! Nice job on the face, the smock colors are fantastic.
DJ

yes they were formed in late '44 I have pictures in a book about the defence of upper sileasa
and it shows a number of Volkssturm images from getting weapons and trg to them being in trenches with snow around them

I would think the Home Guard would have started before late 44. Guys guarding POW camps or shooting AAA patrolling around cities, factories, train tracks and such.