★★★★★An excellent if rather harrowing analysis of the lives of several girls who lived in Hiter's Germany, mainly focussing on the BDM but it does also look into the HJ. This is the first time I have read personal primary source accounts of participants involved in the League of German Maidens and their stories both pre, during and post war. There is also a section on the Werewolf's, something that I have not seen covered in any detail in other books looking at this period.

A unique insight into what these girls went through. It also totally demolishes (if any further evidence needs to be shown) that the Russians were 'liberators' of Berlin. Should be recommended reading for anyone wanting to understand WW2, dictatorship, sexual violence during war time or the effects that propaganda can have on young minds.

Goodreads Review

★★★★ An interesting look at the indoctrination of girls and young women in Nazi Germany with many interview extracts in their own words as the women looked back on their lives from around the year 2000. They showed great courage in speaking out, especially in the final sections of the book which deal with the very harrowing accounts of what happened when the Soviet army moved into Berlin and committed countless atrocities particularly against the female inhabitants.

It was also interesting to learn to what degree the Nazis reversed their own doctrines which confined girls to a future of housework, childcare and cooking when it suited them: suddenly the girls had to learn to fire rocket launchers at tanks or, if they were able, to become sharpshooters. Cynically, the leaders of the regime cowered in the Hitler Bunker while sending children and young people out into the streets of Berlin to fight the Soviet soldiers. They had also earlier sent them against the American army in the West and this was new information to me as I hadn't realised they had also been deployed to fight against appalled US troops who nevertheless had to retalliate to prevent themselves being killed. There were also some interviews with a couple of the troops giving their viewpoint on this.

Pam Baddeley, Goodreads

A set of interesting and sometimes horrifying accounts of how these women fared in the dying days of the Reich and in post-war Germany.

Historical Novels Review

A remarkably candid look at the Juang Madel and Bund Deutescher Madel organisations into which young German girls were conscripted during the Nazi years. After a chance encounter the author uses first hand accounts from thirty survivors to piece together an authentic record.

Military Vehicle Trust

The author will be known to readers of The Armourer Magazine, but this is his first book and an excellent start. There have been numerous books on the subject of British women at war during WWI and WWII, but books in any language on German women at war are very rare – Very Highly Recommended.

Read the complete review here.

Firetrench

★★★★★ This is an incredible book and one which I warmly recommend to students of history, politics and military affairs. Above all in my opinion it should be read by all who share a common humanity with the children who grew up in a Nazi Germany. It also should be championed by women’s movements across the world to show the strength and courage of women and while equality is a reality not a dream.

What is also an astonishing fact is this is Tim Heath’s first book. He should be very proud and if he chooses to he has a successful career as an author waiting for him.

This is a history book charting the raise of Nazism under Hitler’s government, World War II and the fall of Berlin. What makes it stand out is the passage of time since these events, allowing for the release of records but more importantly the opening of memories of those involved namely the girls and young women of Germany.

It is Heath’s good fortune and expertise in fashioning his narrative around first hand experiences. It is no small task to provide courage and convey trust for these women who have been quiet all their adult lives to finally describe and remember the worst times of their lives. He has been sensitive but he has allowed their words to stand out. He has therefore been patient, open and he must possess a listening heart.

This is the best non-fiction book I have read this year. It has taught me so much I thought I knew but only previous grasped in in the most simplistic of ways. It demonstrates the value of eye witness testimonies and despite the voices of Hitler’s Girls finally being heard I despair we won’t all be ready to listen and learn.

It is a compelling read, covering changing attitudes to the role of women within Germany from Mother Earth nurturing the pure children of the Reich to replacement ‘men’ working in factories and taking up arms to defend the Fatherland.

The women speak with honesty and openness about these times, young love, fear and loathing of allied bombing and doing their duty.
The most chilling passages concern the end of hostility and the fall of Berlin. It firms up what I had heard about the Soviet advance and consequences of their arrival first into the destroyed city.

It is heartbreaking and difficult to read, the words hit Home as they are not opinions or reflections on historical events but first hand witness testimony of girls who saw, were beaten and raped.

Pen & Sword have a great sense of time and place in their published historical books this one is a gem, a real diamond and will live with me for the rest of my life. This is the power of books; but they gather dust unless you read them. This is one you cannot afford to miss. In an age where celebrity books are best sellers this fine book tells about ordinary women who are closer to you than any star of stage or screen. For these girls have so much more to say and they share your humanity.

See the review online here.

Richard Latham, GoodReads

As featured in

Antiques Diary, November - December 2017

As featured in

Haaretz Daily

Author article exploring the youth parties for girls and young women that underpinned the National Socialist doctrine as featured in

Armourer, September 2017

As featured in

The Times 3/8/17

As featured on

The Star 31/7/17

As featured on

Mirror 31/7/17

As featured on

Mail Online 31/7/17

As featured in

Mail on Sunday 30/7/17

This is an incredible book and one which I warmly recommend to students of history, politics and military affairs. Above all in my opinion it should be read by all who share a common humanity with the children who grew up in a Nazi Germany. It also should be championed by women’s movements across the world to show the strength and courage of women and while equality is a reality not a dream.
What is also an astonishing fact is this is Tim Heath’s first book. He should be very proud and if he chooses to he has a successful career as an author waiting for him.
This is a history book charting the raise of Nazism under Hitler’s government, World War II and the fall of Berlin. What makes it stand out is the passage of time since these events, allowing for the release of records but more importantly the opening of memories of those involved namely the girls and young women of Germany.
It is Heath’s good fortune and expertise in fashioning his narrative around first hand experiences. It is no small task to provide courage and convey trust for these women who have been quiet all their adult lives to finally describe and remember the worst times of their lives. He has been sensitive but he has allowed their words to stand out. He has therefore been patient, open and he must possess a listening heart.

This is the best non-fiction book I have read this year. It has taught me so much I thought I knew but only previous grasped in in the most simplistic of ways. It demonstrates the value of eye witness testimonies and despite the voices of Hitler’s Girls finally being heard I despair we won’t all be ready to listen and learn.
It is a compelling read, covering changing attitudes to the role of women within Germany from Mother Earth nurturing the pure children of the Reich to replacement ‘men’ working in factories and taking up arms to defend the Fatherland.
The women speak with honesty and openness about these times, young love, fear and loathing of allied bombing and doing their duty.
The most chilling passages concern the end of hostility and the fall of Berlin. It firms up what I had heard about the Soviet advance and consequences of their arrival first into the destroyed city.
It is heartbreaking and difficult to read, the words hit Home as they are not opinions or reflections on historical events but first hand witness testimony of girls who saw, were beaten and raped.
Pen & Sword have a great sense of time and place in their published historical books this one is a gem, a real diamond and will live with me for the rest of my life. This is the power of books; but they gather dust unless you read them. This is one you cannot afford to miss. In an age where celebrity books are best sellers this fine book tells about ordinary women who are closer to you than any star of stage or screen. For these girls have so much more to say and they share your humanity.

Richard Latham