Puzzling sticks

[Heinrich]

I came across a photo this morning that puzzled me for a few reasons but most of all by the sticks in the boys' belts. They look like dynamite. I never saw such things before. They must be Hitler Youth but I see no armbands. Instead there is a political eagle on the left sleeves. Also, I wondered what the white handkerchief could be below the left elbow. Perhaps someone could explain the information in this photo.

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[WernerBamberg]

I dont know the exact game, but those are for playing.
They had take the stick from underneath the belt of their opposite player...

 

[WIDUKIND]

I came across a photo this morning that puzzled me for a few reasons but most of all by the sticks in the boys' belts. They look like dynamite. I never saw such things before. They must be Hitler Youth but I see no armbands. Instead there is a political eagle on the left sleeves. Also, I wondered what the white handkerchief could be below the left elbow. Perhaps someone could explain the information in this photo.

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Hello Heinrich,

There is nothing surprising with this picture. The sticks they wear on their belts are SMOKE and certainly not dynamite. The students were in constant competition and had to prove their bravery at all times.
During their perpetual competitions which were a real chalenge, the first of each group ( Zug ) on the finish line, set off the smoke to warn that he had won the race, the game or the competition.

This very-well Know picture came from the Reichsschule in Valkenburg in the Netherlands, this school was founded in 1942.
According to Nazi propaganda, these schools were designed to Germanize the youth in the occupied countries.
Applicants must meet very selective criteria identical to NPEA schools.
In terms of organization and its objectives, this Reichsschule was on an equal footing with the National Institutions of Political Education (NPEA) of the German Reich. It was located in the buildings of the Jesuit University located in Valkenburg and was primarily intended for those who lived in the Netherlands, a German boy, but was also open to the sons of the Dutch National Socialists (NSB). The uniforms corresponded to those of the NPEA, but also had a sleeve band with the inscription "Reichsschule der Niederlande".

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Best Regards
Eric

 

[WernerBamberg]

Thanks Wundkind.
Then I was wrong.
Heard about wooden sticks to play games.
Thought those ones were the sticks.

 

[Steepleman]

The cloth might be for a game though. "Pimpf im Dienst” gives accounts of games played where sides are distinguished by handkerchiefs. Also, there is one game mentioned with wooden staves, although in that example, the boy holds it in his hand, not tucked in the belt like that.

Why would each boy be given so many smoke sticks?

 

[WIDUKIND]

The cloth might be for a game though. "Pimpf im Dienst” gives accounts of games played where sides are distinguished by handkerchiefs. Also, there is one game mentioned with wooden staves, although in that example, the boy holds it in his hand, not tucked in the belt like that.

Why would each boy be given so many smoke sticks?

This staging is intended to highlight the two winners of this competition. This simulacrum was used for propaganda.
You are absolutely right about the handkerchiefs.
The identification threads worn as a bracelet were also part of the Challange. Whoever got the most from his opponents was a hero.

 

[Albrecht]

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I would completely say that the boy of the left of the photo is wearing that tunic. The tunic shown on the photo is from my collection.

 

[Heinrich]

I thank everyone who replied. I knew I would get the answer here. So it was a game and we are looking at the winners. That is a lot of smoke bombs.

 

[wilhelm saris]

The tunic the boys wear with the photos is not brown, but has an olive-greenish shade.
Widukind says what it is.

There is a series of such photographs as they were published in a small booklet about
Reichsschule Valkenburg. Elder boys did wear an SS eagle upon the left upperarm of
the tunic. Youngsters not.
A cuffband was intended, but was officially never worn! I must have somewhere a photo
of such cuffband. As far as I remember it simply says Reichschule (no country-indication
was included).