From late 1944 until the end, Goebbels came up with the absurd idea that a German Home Militia (the Volkssturm) could augment the Germany Army (Heer) in defense of the Reich. This meant using young under-age boys and generations of unfit men, including survivors of WW1. They were recruited through the Nazi Party by using Gauleiters and Kreisleiters (District and Cell leaders) but trained by the SS and in the field came under control of the Heer! They had no regular Heer uniforms but whatever was available. A simple sleeve band identified themselves with some having collar tabs identifying simple ranks. They were issued whatever weapons were available which meant old, outdated arms of various calibers up to Panzerfausts, Panzerschrecks, heavy PAK and FLAK guns, and support by Tiger and King Tiger tanks near the heart of Berlin. Most were issued standard K98k rifles and some got the emergency Gustloff VG 1-5 assault rifles or VMG-27 light MGs. Their numbers were in the tens of thousands, but they lacked morale which made them ineffective in combat. In Berlin, they did take a toll on the Soviets, but lost most of their members in brutal close quarters fighting. If caught fleeing combat, the Gestapo or SS would kill them on the spot. Several HJ boys scored tank kills and were last seen with Hitler who gave them awards. Even though they failed along with the German Army, they were backed by SS Werwolves trained in guerilla warfare and the armed Edelweiss Piraten that fought seperately for some time after VE-Day.

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