Handbills for the Worldview Education of the Troops

Never before published in the English language, (and only recently re-printed in German in collaboration with our German researchers) this teaching programme gives a detailed insight into the education of the SS recruit. The SS handbills that form this book are not dated, and in the various archives and libraries no indication of their age can be found.- However the quotations used in the handbills, allow an approximate dating. For topic four "As National Socialists, we believe in a divine order.", a speech by Adolf Hitler on 8 November 1943 is quoted.The handbills can therefore not have been produced before the end of 1943, more likely 1944. It can be assumed that, in addition to the "SS-Leithefte", they were to assume the central educational function in worldview issues within the SS, but especially in the Waffen-SS. This is evidenced by the precise instructions they contain on how to conduct the lessons The first topics dealt with the essence and meaning of the National Socialist worldview: "Only the National Socialist worldview ensures us a good life". Further topics are: "Laws of life - the basis of our world view". "We fight for the eternity of our people". In the following, mainly topics of the Second World War were taken into consideration.Under the heading "Europe in danger", the opponents of Europe are listed, whose driving force is identified in Judaism. The next lessons were dedicated to the enemies of war.From issue twelve to issue fourteen, Bolshevism was considered. Britain and the USA were the subject of lessons in sheets fifteen to seventeen; Judaism and Freemasonry in the two following handouts. The series was concluded with four articles on the role of the SS with titles such as: "This is the way of the SS " and "The SS- the Stormtroops for the New Europe". And on the future Europe: "Our goal - a strong and united Europe".