Part of The KB41 Collection On This Day Series !
The Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF ) was founded on 10th May 1933
The photograph here shows members a Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF) and the Hitlerjugend (HJ) outside of what appears to be a factory in Düsseldorf, Western Germany. The photograph is suggested to be taken in 1933 but an exact date is unknown. The photograph is also accompanied by a DAF Stickpin, that was worn by members of the DAF.
Seen here in smart suits are workers and members of the Deutsche Arbeitsfront. They are all seen posed together under the decorated entrance to the factory in which the DAF members likely work. The DAF members are all seen wearing badges, likely a day related badge to which they have been given.
The entrance to the factory can be seen decorated with small banners seen hanging from the windows in addition to a large detailed Swastika and Cog symbol hung in the doorway of the factory. This Swastika and Cog symbol is the emblem of the DAF, The cog signifying industry and labour with a Swastika, the NSDAP symbol at the centre. The main centrepiece of the photograph with an semi circle shape shows the words " Ein Volk, Eine Wille, Eine Führer " this translates to "One People, One Will, One Leader". This is a common phrase that was used by the NSDAP commonly seen in propaganda to unite the people of Germany under National Socialism. 'One People' - the unified Third Reich, 'One Will' - The will of Germany to progress in re-building itself after the First World War and Economic depression by the Great depression and Limitation's of the Treaty Of Versailles regenerating itself as a nation. and finally ' One Leader' being the one man to solve the problems Germany faced and to create a better Germany, the leader of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, Adolf Hitler. The corners of this banner are two smaller DAF symbols. The banner is trimmed with foliage and topped with a NSDAP eagle.
Seen towards the front of the photograph are young boys of the Hitlerjugend, translated to the Hitler Youth. Seen here in their uniforms , the youngest of which a can be seen standing up a member of the Deutschejugendvolk or DJ. The DJ was for children aged 10-14 and was the younger version of the Hitlerjugend. The HJ seen here are in front of the DAF members with what can be seen as a flag bearing the DAF symbol on. This flag having a small box in the top right corner details the area in which the DAF is a part of. The flag details the DAF group to be in the Düsseldorf area as the flag reads 'Düsseldorf, 2'. Düsseldorf 2 , was under the Gau name of 'Ortsgruppe'. The 2 indicating the second DAF group within Düsseldorf. The flag is also topped with a metal DAF Symbol. The Significance of HJ members being alongside DAF members further shows the interlinking of NSDAP organisations and the unification of Germans within the Reich.
The Deutsche Arbeitsfront in English meaning ' German Workers Front' was a NSDAP organisation that was formed on the 10th of May 1933 to act as a unified controlling board for all industries within Germany. The Deutsche Arbeitsfront, commonly referred to as the DAF replaced the previous trade unions of the industries with Germany. The leader of the DAF was Dr. Robert Ley. The trade unions were disbanded on May 2nd 1933 as the NSDAP moved to enabling the DAF to take control. Trade Union leaders and representatives who were replaced found themselves and enemy of the state and were deported to concentration camps within the Reich. The DAF's aim wasn't to support the worker like the previous trade unions but was to give more powers to employers and members of the profession whilst ultimately controlling the conditions and pay of the worker without the worker having any voice in the matter. The DAF allowed its labour trustees to set such conditions, it was declared by Adolf Hitler that wages should be low for all workers and workers could see an increase based on their productivity. The DAF established the Kraft Durch Freude (KDF) 'Strength Through Joy' , an organisation that provided leisure activities, concerts, educational events, subsidized tickets for operas and cruises for members of the DAF. This was created to appease the workers of the DAF and reduce possible riots and delays to work within the DAF. Another organisation working close to this was the SDA, the SDA, ' Schönheit der Arbeit', translating to 'The Beauty Of Labour' was founded in 1934 to create a more enticing workplace for the workers within the rules of set by the DAF. With this the SDA carried out renovations to outdated factories , added new canteens and smoke free areas to factories and industries across the Reich. This also acting as a subdue for the workers of the DAF. The DAF was one of the largest NSDAP organizations, boasting of over 35,000 full-time employees by 1939.
The photograph is seen accompanied by a DAF Stickpin. This stickpin was a small symbolic pin that can show the membership of a individual to the DAF. It is a smart yet subtle addition to a tie and suit that enables the wearer to show their membership and support whilst not having to wear a large badge or uniform. This was adopted by many civilian's who were DAF members, it is suggested to be worn in this photo but due to the DAF members being some distance away it cannot be said for certain. The pin itself made of cheap metal allowed for such pins to be mass produced, however to find them in crisp condition like this can be somewhat difficult. This is a crisp and unbent stickpin that would have been proudly worn by a DAF member like those seen in the photograph.
This photograph shows the impact the DAF and the NSDAP had on the civilians and workers of the Third Reich and the ways in which they came together united. This was the intention's of the NSDAP and DAF and did unfortunately lead to workers having no voice within the Reich however this management that the DAF authorised did allow for families and workers to be equalled on pay and decrease poverty among workers, the KDF and SDA providing some leisure and improvement's for the workers of the DAF. However on reflection this still wasn't fair on the workers of the Reich but it did not only control the workers but enabled the Reich to maximise its profits and greatly increase its output and production. That of which was ultimately needed for its entry into the Second World War.