Hiwi (volunteer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auxiliary volunteer |
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| Hilfswilliger, Hiwi | |
Russia, January 1942, two former Soviet soldiers in the German Wehrmacht army, decorated with the General Assault Badge
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| Active | 1941–1944 |
| Country | Occupied Soviet Union, Eastern Front (World War II), occupied Poland |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | .svg){kind=small} Wehrmacht Schutzstaffel |
| Type | Auxiliary forces |
| Size | 600,000 (in 1944) |
| Nickname(s) | Hiwi, Askari |
Hiwi was a German nickname during World War II for "auxiliary volunteers." These were people from Eastern Europe who helped the German army, Wehrmacht, in different ways. They were recruited from areas that Nazi Germany had taken over. Many of these volunteers, who were originally Soviet citizens, eventually joined combat units.
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Roles and Numbers
During World War II, Hiwis had many different jobs. They were often divided into a few main groups:
- Some were soldiers who joined German divisions.
- Others were volunteers, often former prisoners of war, who wore German uniforms and were treated similarly to German soldiers.
- A third group included prisoners who helped with tasks like cooking or caring for animals.
Helping in Combat
Many Hiwis joined fighting units. For example, by late 1942, about half of the German 134th Infantry Division were Hiwis. At the famous Battle of Stalingrad, about a quarter of the German 6th Army were Hiwis. By 1944, there were around 600,000 Hiwis, including both men and women. Experienced Hiwis often looked and acted just like regular German soldiers. They sometimes formed entire companies within the German army.
Security and Guard Duties
Some Hiwis were also used by the German SS and police as auxiliary police. These individuals were often recruited from Soviet POW camps. After training, they were sent to serve in areas controlled by Nazi Germany, including occupied parts of Eastern Europe. For example, over 5,000 Hiwi guards were trained at a camp near Trawniki. These "Trawniki men" (German: Trawnikimänner) were mostly former Soviet citizens from Ukraine. They were given various security and guard duties in different locations.
Why People Joined
There were many reasons why Soviet citizens became Hiwis. Historians explain that life in German POW camps during World War II was extremely difficult. Many prisoners faced harsh conditions. Joining the Hiwis offered some prisoners a chance to leave the camps and have a better chance of surviving the war. It is hard to know if everyone truly wanted to volunteer, or if they joined mainly to improve their chances of survival.
How People Saw the Hiwis
By the Allies
During World War II, the term 'Hiwis' became associated with negative ideas. It was used for volunteers from occupied areas who served in many roles. These roles included drivers, cooks, medical helpers, and guards. The Allies often saw Hiwis as people who collaborated with the German forces. In Soviet territories, some Hiwis were also seen as opposing the Soviet government.
After the war, many Hiwis tried to return home to the Soviet Union. Soviet authorities often saw them as having betrayed their country. Many faced serious consequences and were punished. Most were sent to labor camps, but many were later released in 1955.
By the German Authorities
There was a difference in how some German leaders and army commanders viewed the Hiwis. Some Nazi leaders, including Adolf Hitler, held prejudiced beliefs about certain groups of people, including Slavs. They considered them to be of less value. However, the German army desperately needed more soldiers and helpers. So, they continued to recruit Hiwis. Sometimes, to get around these prejudiced views, some Slavic Hiwis were even called "Cossacks" to make their recruitment more acceptable.
A German officer named Colonel Helmuth Groscurth once wrote about how strange it was that they had to use former Russian prisoners of war to strengthen their army. He noted the unusual situation of fighting against people who then became their close allies.
Hiwi Today
Today, the word "Hiwi" is still used in German-speaking countries, but with a completely different meaning. It often refers to a "volunteer," a "research assistant," or a "student helper" at a university.
See also
In Spanish: Hiwi para niños
- Collaboration during World War II
- Waffen-SS foreign volunteers and conscripts
- Wehrmacht foreign volunteers and conscripts
- Schutzmannschaft (auxiliary police)
- Selbstschutz (self-protection units)
