Did All German Soldiers in WWII Become Nazis?

Contrary to popular belief, not all German soldiers in WWII were Nazis. Using the term to describe all German military personnel during that period is akin to saying all those wanting to ban firearms are Democrats. While it's true that many Democrats support bans on firearms, not every Democrat shares this view. Similarly, while some German soldiers were Nazis, it would be an oversimplification to generalize all soldiers as such.

A Nazi is short for National Socialist, a political party. Joining the military did not automatically mean someone was a Nazi. The relationship between military and Nazi party membership was more complex, with certain benefits associated with membership. However, it's important to note that only specific groups, such as the SS, were strictly required to be members of the party, and even then, entry was stringent.

The Hitler Youth and other organizations had similar strict entry requirements, ensuring only committed National Socialists could join. Let's delve deeper into the requirements and realities of joining these organizations.

Strict Requirements for Membership in the SS

Membership in the SS, which was regarded as Adolf Hitler's personal guard, had the most stringent requirements. Joining the SS required membership in the Nazi Party and alignment with National Socialist ideology. Specifically, pre-war SS members had to have ethnic German origins and prove their Aryan ancestry, with officers showing purity dating back to 1750.

For elite SS units, such as the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, the criteria were even more stringent. Prospective members had to meet specific physical criteria, including a height of at least 5'11", and they had to be committed National Socialists without any ties to communist activities, pledging allegiance solely to Adolf Hitler rather than the German people or Germany as a whole.

New members underwent thorough investigations by the Gestapo. Any hint of Jewish ancestry or communist affiliation would result in immediate expulsion from the SS. Similar standards applied to political organizations such as the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) and the Napolah schools, which aimed to groom children of prominent Nazis to become future political leaders of the Third Reich.

Military Service and Nazi Party Membership

The army did not require its soldiers to be members of the Nazi Party; however, joining the Party could be beneficial for career advancement. Members of other Nazi organizations such as the Gestapo, SS, SA, or Waffen SS were required to be members of the Nazi Party. While some officers sought to advance to high command positions, it was not a universal requirement for military service.

In summary, while it is true that many German soldiers had ties to the Nazi Party, not all of them were Nazis. The distinction between military service and Nazi party membership was more nuanced, with varying degrees of alignment and involvement based on the individual's specific unit and position within the military hierarchy.