Accession Number: 2022.02.9.20

Postmark: Zittau 02.11.43

Historical background:

Antje Mein Blondes Kind is a sailor’s song written by Herms Niel, a Nazi composer of military songs. Niel was the bandmaster of the infantry of the Imperial German Army during World War I. He joined with the Nazi party when they seized power in 1933, becoming a Sturmabteillung troop leader before being promoted to band leader of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) training program. The RAD was a Nazi party organization for civil service. Hitler’s goal was for participation in the program to be compulsory, but it remained officially voluntary after protest from the Geneva World Disarmament Conference. The RAD focused on indoctrinating the workforce into Nazi ideology through participation in their program. Members lived in labor barracks and worked up to 76 hours per week. 

 

A recording of Antje Mein Blondes Kind:

https://youtu.be/KiluyDWWlhI