The Edelweiss Pirate’s Direct and Aggressive Methods of Resistance

Similar to the Swing Youths, the Edelweiss Pirates rebelled against the conformity expected of them by the Nazis. These youth groups sought out a more unconventional lifestyle to escape the control being put upon them by the Nazi Party. In the article, “Youth Activism,” author Lonnie Sherrod explains, “The Edelweiss Pirates were not content to simply slip away from the control of adults and other authorities; instead, many chose to confront National Socialism,” (Sherrod 74). Sherrod goes on to explain that although the Pirates lacked a structural political ideology, they demonstrated a political stance.

Out of the three youth resistance groups examined, the Edelweiss Pirates were by far the most aggressive, direct and out-spoken. Similar to Swing Youths, the Pirates rebelled against the Nazi Party through music; however, instead of listening to American music deemed inappropriate, the Pirates rebelled through their own made up lyrics.

Some lyrics in their songs included, “We’re going to get rid of Hitler, and he can’t do a thing,” and “Hitler’s power may lay us low, and keep us locked in chains, but we will smash the chains one day,” (Burleigh and Wippermann 237). These lyrics directly express resistance to the Nazi party by attacking the control Hitler and the Nazi party tried to place upon youths.

In addition, the Edelweiss Pirates were well known for their constant attacks and juxtaposition to the Hitler Youth. The Hitler Youths served as their counterparts, as they conformed to the Nazi party by following their traditional culture and lifestyle. A Hitler Youth describes how the Pirates, “publicly provoke the Hitler Youth, and undermine the work of its until leaders. ‘Leaders of the Hitler Youth have been ambushed, pestered, and even shot at,’” (Burleigh and Wipperman 224). These confrontations were often violent and in some cases members of both parties were wounded and sometimes killed.  

As the war progressed, the Pirates means of resistance became bolder and further went against the Nazi party. The Pirates directly aided foreigners, as well as victims of the Nazi Party. In the article “Inside Hitler’s Germany,” authors Matthew Hughes and Chris Mann explain how, in 1942 in Dusseldorf, “some pirates offered shelter to German deserters, POWs, forced laborers and concentration camp escapees,” (Hughes and Mann 64).

In addition, similar to the White Rose’s method of circulating anti-Nazi literature, some members of the Pirates posted Allied propaganda leaflets through letterboxes or even joined organized resistance groups. This resistance turned more violent, as they later attacked the Cologne Gestapo in 1944 (Hughes and Mann 64). Thus, the Edelweiss Pirates engaged in more direct and aggressive resistance than the Swing Youth and the White Rose.