An HJ & League of German Girls "Landjahr" Farm Service Sword and Sod Trumpet Banner

Green and white cotton panels sewn back-to-back, green cotton field on the obverse with white cotton characters sewn in place representing the othila (Odal) rune in the centre, surrounded by the inscription "Schwert und Scholle" (Sword and Sod), with swastikas in all four corners, reverse has a white cotton field with large green letters inscribed "Landjahr" across the centre, trimmed in 45 mm long silver bullion fringe, four green cotton ties along the top edge, 440 mm x 480 mm not including the fringe, mothing exhibited throughout, soiling of the white characters, stain on the reverse, fair. Footnote: The Landjahr grew out of a much smaller program initiated in the 1920s. HJ boys (Hitler Jugend = Hitler Youth) and BDM girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel = League of German Girls) did eight months service on farms which was called Landjahr. This was for children who finished school as age fourteen, as well as older youths. The Landjahr program was only mandatory for university students. There were boarding facilities in the rural areas. At a typical camp, the children were awakened at 6:00 am for calisthenics or sport. Accommodations varied: some were newly built or moderized facilities, other were more make-shift arrangements. This involved a morning salute, farm work, care of animals, marching, singing, outdoor games, and communal living. The program was different for boys and girls. There was also some military training, as with rifle training for the boys. The children were sometimes even awakened at 1:00 am for a night march. There were also outdoor campfires for bonding. The size of the groups varied. The Landjahr were satisfied by arrangements with individual farmers.