German Soldiers Oath as of August 1934.

I swear by God this sacred oath, that I will render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer of the German Reich and people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will be ready as a brave soldier to risk my life at any time for this oath.

Interesting isnt it?

 

Wow. I never knew that the German soldiers had to take an oath. How did you find this out. Any info would be great. Thanx

Jet

 

Yeah, it is interesting. Was that for all branches, kind of like the one we have here for inductees, or was it some kind of special graduation oath?

 

The oath was introduced by the army in 1934 essentially in repayment for the Night of the Long Knives and the gutting of the SA. It was the first sign of the army holding aliegance to Hitler rather than remaining apolitical as they had always intended. The difference between the German oath and most other nations is that this one was an oath of loyalty to Hitler personally, most others are sworn to a position or post (such as the president or the monarch).

 

Hi Jet--this oath was printed in the book by Stephen Thomas Previtera: "The Iron Time."

Doc--the answer is Yes. this oath was for all the branches of service.

 

Hmm ,I've often wondered what the exact wording of a "pact with the devil" would be.
Stupid buggers

 

why

 

why [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]the German High Command agree's to alter its oath, to one committing themselves to one of the most evil men of the 20th century and you ask me why

 

and…they had to balance a dead slug on their top lip and rip their left nut off!

Then there was the leather shorts, the coat-hanger in the greatcoat, the sore ankles, the silly walk.......

No.9

[ 05. February 2003, 11:34 PM: Message edited by: No.9 ]

 

Redcoat,

In 1934 Hitler was not regarded as one of the most evil men in the world. At the time he appeared ruthless and cutthroat, but he was taking a totally bankrupt country and turning it around. Unemployed men were put to work in the RAD rebuilding the Reich and the country was showing signs of prosperity.

While the new oath did emasculate the Wehrmacht, there was no real reason for the men taking it to feel that they were doing something wrong. Knowledge of the KZ's was minimal as the first KZ, Dachau had only been open for about 9 months. The reasons we know Hitler to be evil by just were not known at that time.

That's why Bish asked why.

My .02

Langemann

 

And probably more important than what Langemann said, Hitler was re-building the German Army and giving it some pride back.

 

Cheers for the info C. Evans.

Jet

 

Thank you Jet.