At first glance, this black-and-white video appears to show a typical summer camp for boys in 1937 America.
But the happy teenagers in this film are not only pitching tents and playing sports together – they’re also raising a Nazi swastika flag.
Whilst the Nazis were establishing horrific concentration camps in Germany in the 1930s, they were also running summer camps for youngsters in the USA.
At first glance, this black-and-white video appears to show a typical summer camp for boys in 1937 America. But the happy teenagers in this film are not only pitching tents and playing sports together – they’re also raising a Nazi swastika flag. Pictured, young boys fall in before leaving to go to a Nazi Youth Camp in Windham
Whilst the Nazis were establishing horrific concentration camps in Germany in the 1930s, they were also running summer camps for youngsters in the USA. Pictured, two boys box one another
These pro-Hitler kids camps were set up in the hopes of instilling Nazi sympathies in German-American children.
This shocking footage reveals the activities inside a Nazi Youth summer camp took near Windham, New York.
In the video entitled ‘Volks-Deutsche/Jungen in USA’ (translated as German Youth in USA), American teen boys can be seen laughing and wrestling in the official uniforms of the Hitler youth.
In the most chilling parts of the video, the adolescent lads gather around obediently to raise the Nazi flag while playing instruments emblazoned with the Hitler youth banners.
These pro-Hitler kids camps were set up in the hopes of instilling Nazi sympathies in German-American children. Pictured, young boys fire rifles at the camp
This shocking footage reveals the activities inside a Nazi Youth summer camp took near Windham, New York. Pictured, a marching band with Hitler Youth flags
In the video entitled ‘Volks-Deutsche/Jungen in USA’ (translated as German Youth in USA), American teen boys can be seen laughing and wrestling in the official uniforms of the Hitler youth
In the most chilling parts of the video, the adolescent lads gather around obediently to raise the Nazi flag while playing instruments emblazoned with the Hitler youth banners
These pro-Hitler camps for kids were sponsored by Nazi loyalists in the US, such as the German American Bund led by Fritz Kuhn. The German American Bund was established in 1936 to promote Germany and the Nazi party.
The organisation consisted only of American citizens of German descent. Many of the kids attending the Nazi summer camps were children or grandchildren of German immigrants and naturalized American citizens who were part of the Bund.
Although posing as standard summer camps, the Bund’s school vacation retreats bore a startling resemblance to the Hitler Youth camps of Nazi Germany. At these American camps, children were taught to speak German and march in Hitler Youth uniforms, singing the Nazi national anthem.
Nazi propaganda was also abundant at these establishments. However the stars and stripes flag was always raised alongside the Nazi flag at the Bund’s camps to emphasize the group’s American credentials.
These pro-Hitler camps for kids were sponsored by Nazi loyalists in the US, such as the German American Bund led by Fritz Kuhn. Pictured, young boys throw a javelin at the camp
The German American Bund was established in 1936 to promote Germany and the Nazi party
The organisation consisted only of American citizens of German descent. Many of the kids attending the Nazi summer camps were children or grandchildren of German immigrants and naturalized American citizens who were part of the Bund
Although posing as standard summer camps, the Bund’s school vacation retreats bore a startling resemblance to the Hitler Youth camps of Nazi Germany
Pictured, a young boy takes a photograph at a Nazi Youth Camp in Windham, New York
But as World War II loomed, the US government increasingly saw the Bund as a threat, and monitored it accordingly. Americans became more uncomfortable with Nazism and its expression in their country.
After Germany declared war on the United States in December 1941, the American Bund was shut down and its members including leader Fritz Kuhn were arrested.
Prior to that, the American Nazis were protected by 1st Amendment rights. But with war declared, it was illegal for American citizens to swear allegiance to Germany.
The FBI raided the Nazi summer camps, seized incriminating materials and closed them down for subversive activities.
Yet the footage is still unsettling to behold and it is chilling to see American children raise a Nazi flag in New York just eighty years ago.
After Germany declared war on the United States in December 1941, the American Bund was shut down and its members including leader Fritz Kuhn were arrested. Pictured, young boys practicing carpentry
Prior to that, the American Nazis were protected by 1st Amendment rights. But with war declared, it was illegal for American citizens to swear allegiance to Germany. Pictured, young boys play draughts
The FBI raided the Nazi summer camps, seized incriminating materials and closed them down for subversive activities
Nazi propaganda was also abundant at these establishments. However the stars and stripes flag was always raised alongside the Nazi flag at the Bund’s camps to emphasize the group’s American credentials. Pictured, a Nazi flag, a Hitler Youth flag and an American flag being raised at a Nazi Youth Camp
Pictured, young boys carrying supplies at the Nazi youth camp in New York state