Artur Axmann

Artur Axmann was born in Hagen Germany in 1913 In 1928 he founded the first Hitler Youth group in Westfalen Germany After studying law he became a leader in Nazi Party youth organizations In 1933 he was named the chief of the Social Office of the Reich Youth Leadership playing a role in vocational training and party philosophy indoctrination of boys In May 1940 he served in the military in France In August 1940 he succeeded Baldur von Schirach as the Reichsjugendführer or Reich Youth Leader of the Nazi Party In 1941 he served in the military on the Soviet front where he was wounded in action losing an arm in the process After recovery he resumed his role as a leader of Hitler Youth In the closing weeks of the war he commanded Hitler Youth units within the Volkssturm paramilitary organization east of Berlin Germany Axmann was among the few present in Adolf Hitlers bunker during the final days of Hitlers life hours before Hitlers suicide Axmann received Hitlers permission to make an attempt to lead as many Hitler Youth troops out of the city as possible Axmann left the bunker on 1 May 1945 and was able to cross the River Spree at the Weidendammer Bridge He avoided capture after the war until December 1945 when he was found living under the alias Erich Siewert He was sentenced to a 39month prison term After his release he worked in sales and became wealthy by the time of his retirement He passed away in Berlin Germany in 1996