{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-named-hj-youth-tornister-backpack-with-shoulder-straps-amp-unit-marking-otto-traus","title":"Original German WWII Named HJ Youth Tornister Backpack with Shoulder Straps \u0026amp; Unit Marking - Otto Traus","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is an original German WWII era HJ youth Tornister backpack, a smaller variation of the standard German military style pack, complete with its original shoulder straps and named internally to \u003cstrong\u003eOtto Traus\u003c\/strong\u003e. The interior also bears a hand-applied unit style marking consisting of a shield containing an \u003cstrong\u003eS rune\u003c\/strong\u003e, accompanied by the designation \u003cstrong\u003e3\/124\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the piece excellent potential for further identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backpack retains both original shoulder straps, although the leather is now extremely worn, dry, and heavily crazed from age and use. The interior also shows substantial service wear and still retains portions of its original paper covering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo leather components inside the pack are marked with the name:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOTTO TRAUS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the name is a hand-drawn shield containing an S rune, beside the marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3\/124\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exact meaning of this marking has not been confirmed. One possible connection may be to a unit designation related to \u003cstrong\u003eL (Ost) Gefolgschaft 23\u003c\/strong\u003e, which was reportedly previously identified as \u003cstrong\u003eL\/124\u003c\/strong\u003e, but this attribution remains uncertain and requires additional research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tornister itself is smaller than the standard military pattern and is consistent with equipment intended for youth use. Surviving named examples are particularly interesting because the internal ownership markings offer the possibility of tracing the original member or unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe origins of the HJ youth organization date to the early 1920s. In 1922, the Munich based NSDAP established the \u003cstrong\u003eJugendbund der NSDAP\u003c\/strong\u003e as an official youth organization. Other early youth groups also appeared during this period, including the \u003cstrong\u003eJungsturm\u003c\/strong\u003e, which was intended in part to prepare young members for later involvement in the SA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the failed Beer Hall Putsch of November 1923, NSDAP youth organizations were formally dissolved, although some elements continued operating clandestinely under other names. In April 1924, the Jugendbund der NSDAP was reorganized as the \u003cstrong\u003eGrossdeutsche Jugendbewegung\u003c\/strong\u003e, or Greater German Youth Movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn July 4, 1926, the organization was renamed the \u003cstrong\u003eHJ, Bund deutscher Arbeiterjugend\u003c\/strong\u003e, becoming the official youth organization of the NSDAP. Kurt Gruber played a major role in this reorganization after prevailing over competing youth movements. The organization subsequently expanded rapidly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1930, the HJ had enrolled more than 25,000 boys aged 14 and older. A junior branch, the \u003cstrong\u003eDeutsches Jungvolk\u003c\/strong\u003e, was established for boys aged 10 to 14, while girls were organized separately within the \u003cstrong\u003eBund Deutscher Mädel\u003c\/strong\u003e, or BDM.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HJ was briefly banned in April 1932 under Chancellor Heinrich Brüning, but the prohibition was lifted only a few months later under Franz von Papen. Following the NSDAP rise to power in 1933, Baldur von Schirach was appointed Reichsjugendführer, and the organization expanded dramatically as other German youth groups were absorbed or dissolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis backpack remains a very appealing and personal example of German WWII youth equipment. The original shoulder straps, surviving interior paper lining, repeated \u003cstrong\u003eOtto Traus\u003c\/strong\u003e name markings, and unusual \u003cstrong\u003e3\/124\u003c\/strong\u003e shield device make it an especially interesting piece for further research into the original owner and his unit affiliation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44809543286853,"sku":"ONAC25SD0991","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0991__01.jpg?v=1774300831","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-named-hj-youth-tornister-backpack-with-shoulder-straps-amp-unit-marking-otto-traus","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}