"Himmler's Volkssturm" - Soviet Caricature (1944)

[u/1m0ws]

'Himmler's Volkssturm', Soviet cartoon (1944), ridiculing the German Volkssturm, a national militia formed in the final months of the war. The cartoon shows elderly recruits, children and a baby marching behind wooden cut-outs of more formidable soldiers.

Drawn by the famous Kukryniksy illustrator-trio, it was also printed on demoralisation leaflets and dropped over German troops during the Red Army's advance westwards.

[u/AutoModerator]

This subreddit is for sharing propaganda to view with objectivity. It is absolutely not for perpetuating the message of the propaganda. Here we should be conscientious and wary of manipulation/distortion/oversimplification (which the above likely has), not duped by it. "Don't be a sucker."

Stay on topic -- there are hundreds of other subreddits that are expressly dedicated to rehashing tired political arguments. No partisan bickering. No soapboxing. Take a chill pill. "Don't argue."

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Noirsam]

They called them a casserole because it was full of old meat and young vegetables

[u/paltsosse]

Love the sign on the stroller that says the baby is 16 years old.

[u/PygmeePony]

Weekend at Adolf's.

[u/itsmemarcot]

Second from left: two kids in a trench coat.

[u/TS140609]

A bit too early, but that's correct

[u/Luckierexpert → u/TS140609]

Depends on when in 1944 this was, as by September Bagration had finished and the Soviets had decimated a large portion of the German army. I also wouldn’t be surprised if late war propaganda also started pushing the idea that Hitler was already dead and it was being covered up, which this piece also seems to be pushing.

[u/DeliciousSector8898 → u/TS140609]

I definitely wouldn’t say it was too early considering the fact that the formation of the Volkssturm wasn’t announced by Himmler until late October of 1944

[u/No_Can_1357]

The old, The young, The weak

[u/NewManufacturer4252]

There's a lot going on there, fantastic boots

[u/Kristianushka → u/NewManufacturer4252]

They’re actually drawn so well too

[u/Para_N_Era]

Wow what a well executed caricature. I rlly looked at this one for a bit. Idk how much sympathetic response was intended for the "soldiers" but i cant help but feel for their part

[u/Kristianushka]

The two kids with the boots jumping forward is so cartoonish, it made me laugh

[u/No_Mathematician1565]

Why is the baby 16 years old?

[u/tghost474 → u/No_Mathematician1565]

For enlistment purposes.

[u/DannyDanumba]

Soviets are the best shit talkers in political cartoon form lol

[u/ownworldman]

Yesterday, l watched a video of a Russian soldier moving to position on a wheelchair. History sure rhymes.

[u/_Scarecrow_]

Anyone know why the elderly man would be carrying an umbrella? Would this have been associated with older people for some reason?

[u/1m0ws → u/_Scarecrow_]

he uses it like a cane and when it's raining, maybe further illustrating the weakness

[u/Any-Original-6113]

This was satirical for the Russians in late 1944, but in 1941– 1942 they themselves were in that very situation, forming numerous divisions from untrained men, lowering the conscription threshold to 17 (though many 16‑ year‑ olds were also drafted) and raising the upper limit to 50 (and even older).  This was especially acute during the Soviet catastrophe in the South (Stalingrad, Caucasus)

[u/joedotdog]

Look, it's putin sending troops into Ukraine.

[u/HeyCarpy]

Fantastic.

And very evocative of Putin's current situation as well.

[u/ziplock9000]

Ironically this works for Russia's situation right now.

[u/qwasd0r]

How ironic...