Does anyone know.....

[John Macrini]

I was watching the two new programs that the history channel put out, "the rise of the third reich and the fall of the third reich" (Nice entertaining, and a good bit of new footage that I have never seen before) and they stated that as the war progressed and Hitler became more desperate and that the age to join the Wehrmacht was progressivly lowered and finally stopped at age 13 I believe (i'm sure you guy's will be more than happy to correct me if i'm wrong on any of that).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows who the youngest soldier was, and what was his age, to be awarded the KC? with Oakleaves? and swords?

Just something I often think about.....When I see the video's and photo's of the really young guys in TR uniforms fighting or even just posing for the camera, it almost brings a tear to my eye, knowing that these "kids" some willing and some probably not, whom swore the oath to die for the Fuhrer if need be, were inducted or forced into the service.

Thanks and happy holidays fellas,
John M.

[EK-collector]

I was watching the two new programs that the history channel put out, "the rise of the third reich and the fall of the third reich" (Nice entertaining, and a good bit of new footage that I have never seen before) and they stated that as the war progressed and Hitler became more desperate and that the age to join the Wehrmacht was progressivly lowered and finally stopped at age 13 I believe (i'm sure you guy's will be more than happy to correct me if i'm wrong on any of that).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows who the youngest soldier was, and what was his age, to be awarded the KC? with Oakleaves? and swords?

Just something I often think about.....When I see the video's and photo's of the really young guys in TR uniforms fighting or even just posing for the camera, it almost brings a tear to my eye, knowing that these "kids" some willing and some probably not, whom swore the oath to die for the Fuhrer if need be, were inducted or forced into the service.

Thanks and happy holidays fellas,
John M.

Very common is photo and book about youngest soldier who was awarded by EK. I have never heard about youngest KC winner (bellow 18)

[Woolgar]

As the war went on, boys as young as 10 were placed into the Hitler Youth, and by 1945, it was common to see 12-year-old boys serving in Volkssturm units. When Berlin was surrounded by Russian forces, a significant part of the defense of Berlin was conducted by Volkssturm units with sizeable Hitler Youth members.
There were a number of EK2s awarded to the young boys but no KCs were awarded to HJ members

Nick

[John Macrini]

Thanks for the info guys. I figured at least one of em got a KC but I was wrong.

Thanks,
John

[nick-j]

wasnt the youngest the one awarded by Rommel-- I think it might be Gunther Halm?