Artur Axmann

Biography

Artur Axmann was born in Hagen, Germany in 1913. In 1928, he founded the first Hitler Youth group in Westfalen, Germany. After studying law, he became a leader in Nazi Party youth organizations. In 1933, he was named the chief of the Social Office of the Reich Youth Leadership, playing a role in vocational training and party philosophy indoctrination of boys. In May 1940, he served in the military in France. In August 1940, he succeeded Baldur von Schirach as the Reichsjugendführer, or Reich Youth Leader, of the Nazi Party. In 1941, he served in the military on the Soviet front, where he was wounded in action, losing an arm in the process. After recovery, he resumed his role as a leader of Hitler Youth. In the closing weeks of the war, he commanded Hitler Youth units within the Volkssturm para-military organization east of Berlin, Germany. Axmann was among the few present in Adolf Hitler's bunker during the final days of Hitler's life; hours before Hitler's suicide, Axmann received Hitler's permission to make an attempt to lead as many Hitler Youth troops out of the city as possible. Axmann left the bunker on 1 May 1945 and was able to cross the River Spree at the Weidendammer Bridge. He avoided capture after the war until December 1945, when he was found living under the alias Erich Siewert. He was sentenced to a 39-month prison term. After his release, he worked in sales and became wealthy by the time of his retirement. He passed away in Berlin, Germany in 1996.