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 (pronounced HEE-vee) is a short way of saying the German word Hilfswilliger. This means "auxiliary volunteer" in English. During World War II, this name was given to people who volunteered to help the German army. These volunteers came from countries in Eastern Europe that Nazi Germany had taken over.
Most Hiwis were from the Soviet Union. They joined the German forces for different reasons. Some were prisoners of war who wanted to escape harsh conditions. Others might have disliked the Soviet government at the time.
Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, was at first not keen on letting Soviet citizens join his army. But during a big invasion called Operation Barbarossa, he changed his mind. Soon, many Hiwis were helping out. They did many jobs, from cooking and driving to guarding areas and even fighting in battles. By 1944, about 600,000 Hiwis were part of the German forces.
Contents
Roles and Tasks
Hiwis played many important roles for the German army. They were often used as support staff. This meant they helped with tasks that kept the army running smoothly.
Support Jobs
Some common jobs for Hiwis included:
- Driving vehicles and transporting supplies.
- Cooking meals for soldiers.
- Cleaning and maintaining army camps.
- Caring for horses used by the army.
- Building and repairing roads or defenses.
Combat Roles
Over time, some Hiwis were also used in combat roles. They fought alongside German soldiers, especially on the Eastern Front (World War II). This was the main battleground between Germany and the Soviet Union.
Life as a Hiwi
Life for Hiwis was often very difficult. They were not always treated the same as German soldiers.
Treatment and Conditions
Hiwis often faced discrimination. They usually received less pay and worse food than German soldiers. Their living conditions were also often poorer. Despite their help, they were still seen as outsiders by many in the German army.
Uniforms and Badges
Hiwis usually wore German uniforms, but with special badges. These badges showed they were volunteers from Eastern Europe. This helped to tell them apart from regular German soldiers.
Impact of Hiwis
The Hiwis were a significant part of the German war effort. They helped free up German soldiers for fighting.
Military Importance
By taking on many support tasks, Hiwis allowed more German soldiers to be on the front lines. This was especially important as the war went on and Germany needed more fighters. Their numbers grew quite large, showing how much the German army relied on them.
After the War
After World War II ended, many Hiwis faced serious problems. If they were captured by the Soviet Union, they were often seen as traitors. They could face harsh punishments, including prison or even death.
Images for kids
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A captain inspecting auxiliary Eastern troops of the Wehrmacht in Greece, 1943.
See also
In Spanish: Hiwi para niños
