The Volkssturm - the German Homeguard - was established in October 1944 as a militia utilizing males between the ages of 16 and 60 who were not otherwise serving in the Wehrmacht or other military units. They were under the control of the Nazi party and its officials (Gauleiters) with Heinrich Himmler as commander. The Volkssturm was used extensively during the defense of Berlin against an overwhelming Russian army.
The Ortsgruppe leader would categorize the men registered into a four-tiered system of conscription (Aufgebot). Levy I and II held men - born between 1884 and 1924 - capable of combat duty. Levy I men were drafted early and without reserve. Levy II men were often in war production or food supply, communications, and transport, but could be called upon to engage the enemy should the need arise. Levy III would include young boys from the Hitler Youth. Levy IV were those men unable to fight but still capable of guard duty.
--Michael D. Bulmash, K1966, and Peter Vandersmissen
Browse the Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection.
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Volkssturm Medical Form for Berthold Allwardt
2019.2.232
Form with red line across page, purple text and dotted lines, writing in green, titled “DEUTSCHER VOLKSSTURM Gau Berlin” in purple print and handed out to Berthold Allwardt (born 9.24.1909) who lived in the Winterbergreihe 41in Berlin Adlershof at the occasion of presenting himself for a call-up for the Volkssturm in his local NSDAP Ortsgruppe (Neighbourhood) “Adlershof Nord” as the stamp indicates. The date the form was filled out was 11.5.1944. The leader (name illegible) of the Ortsgruppe signed the note. At the base of the note is printed text that the receiver of the note must keep it along with his military papers and be ready to present it on request.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash and Peter Vandersmissen:
The Volkssturm was established in October 1944 as a militia utilizing males between the ages of 16 and 60 who were not otherwise serving in the Wehrmacht or other military units. They were under the control of the Nazi party and its officials (Gauleiters) with Heinrich Himmler as commander. The Volkssturm was used extensively during the defense of Berlin against an overwhelming Russian army.
Berthold Allwardt presented himself at a Volkssturm registration office on 11.5.1944. Allwardt had been rejected as a Berlin Volkssturmman, although the reason is not clear from the limited information given on the form. In general two possibilities exist: either Mr. Allwardt had poor health, or he was racially or politically suspicious.
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Cover from Lubben to Marienbad, with Stamp Commemorating Home Guard (Volksstürm) Mobilization
2019.2.131
Envelope with red postage stamp in upper right corner beside white postage stamp with “5,00” in red print, stamped with 11a in blue ink.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: This cover was mailed 17 days after the stamp was issued to honor Hitler’s order to call up of all males between 16 and 60 to fight along with the Wehrmacht in defense of Germany. The war was to end for Germany in just a few months.
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Official Vokssturm Form from Ortsgruppe (local group) “Geisberg”, Wiesbaden Germany
2019.2.233
Note marked “NSDAP” in black print in top left corner, date “6/3/45” written in purple in top right corner, signed “Heil Hitler! Rossmann, Gemeinschaftsleiter der NSDAP.”
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash and Peter Vandersmissen:
Typed form addressed to a member of the Volkssturm , whose name is written illegibly in purple pencil, and signed -with “Heil Hitler!” closing salutation-by “Rossmann”, a local community leader of the NSDAP in Wiesbaden, Germany. The recipient is informed that his medical examination results place him in category-or levy- 4 in the conscription hierarchy used by the Volkssturm, and that he would be informed of his duty “by the responsible company”. As such he would be unable to fight but could nevertheless perform guard duty.
The Ortsgruppe leader would categorize the men registered into a four-tiered system of conscription (Aufgebot). Levy I and II held men- born between 1884 and 1924- capable of combat duty. Levy I men were drafted early and without reserve. Levy II men were often in war production or food supply, communications, and transport, but could be called upon to engage the enemy should the need arise. Levy III would include young boys from the Hitler Youth. Levy IV were those men unable to fight but still capable of guard duty.
The Volkssturm was established in October 1944 as a militia utilizing males between the ages of 16 and 60 who were not otherwise serving in the Wehrmacht or other military units. They were under the control of the Nazi party and its officials (Gauleiters) with Heinrich Himmler as commander. The Volkssturm was used extensively during the defense of Berlin against an overwhelming Russian army.