Why Hitler Delayed the Creation of the Volkssturm in 1940

The Volkssturm, or People's Storm, was a national militia of the Third Reich which was formed in the final months of World War II in 1944. However, Adolf Hitler and the German military command delayed its formation until 1944 rather than in 1940 as some argue. Understanding his reasons provides valuable insight into the strategic and political milieu of the Third Reich during World War II.

Background and Formation

The Volkssturm was an army composed primarily of older men, teenagers, and the infirm—essentially everyone who had not been called to serve in the regular military. By the end of the war, the Volkssturm's role had shifted from a purely defensive auxiliary force to one of last-ditch resistance, despite the fact that it would likely be unable to effectively repel Soviet advances or add to the military's combat effectiveness.

Hitler's Strategic Perspective

Adolf Hitler's strategy and mindset need to be understood within the context of the period in question. In 1940, the greatest threat to Germany was the potential invasion from the West, particularly from Great Britain. But at the time, the Wermacht and the SS were considered to be the core of the German fighting force. The appearance of a voluntary, 'defensive' people's force did not align with Hitler's robust approach to war mobilization and his belief in the invincibility of his forces.

In 1940, Germany had successfully conquered Western Europe, and the focus was on consolidating and defending the newly acquired territories. Hitler had a vision for Germany that extended beyond 1940, aiming to consolidate its influence in Europe while maintaining a strong defensive posture.

Reasons for Delay and Rejection of the idea

The reasons for delaying the creation of the Volkssturm until 1944 can be summarized as follows:

tStrategic Focus: In 1940, Hitler was facing threats from multiple fronts but was most concerned about the potential for a Middle Eastern front or a prolonged war with the United Kingdom and Soviet Union. tResource Constraints: The German military was already stretched thin by ongoing conflicts. Creating a mass army composed of older men, children, and the disabled would have strained an already depleted resource pool. tCombat Effectiveness: The Volkssturm's effectiveness was significantly limited, as it consisted mostly of untrained and unreliable troops. According to military historian Stanley Petersen, the Volkssturm was not a decisive factor in Germany's final resistance in 1945. tMorale and Propaganda: Hitler needed to maintain the morale of the remaining combat-ready soldiers. Formation of a defensive force made up of less-capable individuals could have undermined their confidence and cohesiveness.

Implementing the Volkssturm in 1944

By 1944, the tide had shifted. The Allies were making significant advances, and the Soviet Union was launching offensives on multiple fronts. The German military was in a desperate situation. The Volkssturm was formed to expand the military manpower prior to the inevitable Allied invasion of German territory.

The initial formation of the Volkssturm was met with much criticism from within the military and was initially seen as a Hilter's plan to bolster his own image. Despite these challenges, the Volkssturm played a significant role in the final days of the war, though it was not the decisive factor that some might expect.

Conclusion

The Volkssturm was a necessary evil, but its use was a tactical error on the part of Hitler, as it could have weakened the military's overall effectiveness and provided a false sense of confidence to the German public. Germany’s strategy should have prioritized mobilizing its existing forces and launching counterattacks, rather than seeking to bolster its numbers with untrained and unreliable troops. This misallocation of resources and manpower ultimately led to Germany's defeat in World War II.