During World War II, Hitler formed an army of 16-17 year olds, known as the "Hitler Junior Division" or "Infant Division". The unit was put into battle in April 1944, and its members demonstrated superhuman combat effectiveness after a year of military training. However, in the face of the Allied landing, the Infant Division was finally defeated on 15 August, leaving only the last 500 men, who were also killed by Allied fire.
This incident has caused a lot of discussion on the Internet. Many expressed shock and anger at Hitler's inclusion of minors in the army for combat. Many commentators point out that this is a serious violation of the rights of minors, and that these children have never had the thinking skills and judgment that adults should have, and that they are forced to participate in a brutal war, which is tantamount to being sent to the path of death. Many have questioned this decision, arguing that it will only result in the loss of more innocent lives without any substantial impact on the outcome of the war.
Events similar to those of Hitler's Junior Division also took place in Japan. At the end of World War II, due to a shortage of soldiers, the Japanese army would rely mainly on liberal arts students to fight, who were known as "apprentices". These minors, who did not have adequate military training, were sent to the battlefield to become part of kamikaze and face death directly. These students were forced to fight unprepared and likewise fell victim to the war.
The two events of Hitler's junior division and apprentice have provoked deep reflection on the military involvement of minors. People are beginning to reflect on whether minors should be included in the war and put their lives at risk. These two events shed light on the harm and damage that war can cause to minors, raising doubts and questions about the morality of war. At the same time, it has also sparked reflection and discussion on moral and human rights issues in war.
The Infant Division ended their battle on August 15, 1944, with only 500 men left, while killed under Allied fire. The tragic end of this event also caused reflection on the war. The Japanese students, who had been apprenticed, faced the same cruel fate and were forced into the war. They did not receive the education and growth they deserved, but directly took on the noble mission of dying for the country.
Both of these events were caused by the war, and both revealed the serious harm and destruction that war has taken on minors. The presence of Hitler's junior teachers and apprentices provoked reflections on the moral and human rights issues of war. These events have shocked people and raised awareness of the brutality of war. For minors, they should be a time of education and growth, and not be drawn into the fire of war. These two events remind us that the rights of children and adolescents should be included in the discussion of war in order to protect their lives and futures. At the same time, we should also reflect more on the nature of war in order to find a peaceful solution to conflict.