| Volkssturm | |
|---|---|
 Volkssturm marching, most of the men marching are carrying Panzerfaust launchers, the man at the bottom carries a MG34, November 1944 | |
| Founded | 18 October 1944 |
| Disbanded | 8 May 1945 |
| Country |  Germany |
| Type | Militia |
| Part of |  Nazi Party |
| Commander | Heinrich Himmler (Military training and equipment) Martin Bormann (administration and indoctrination) |
The Volkssturm (German pronunciation: [ˈfɔlksʃtʊʁm]; "people's storm")[1][2] was a levée en masse national militia established by Nazi Germany during the last months of World War II. It was set up by the Nazi Party on the orders of Adolf Hitler and established on 25 September 1944.[3] It was staffed by conscripting males between the ages of 16 and 60 years, who were not already serving in some military unit. The Volkssturm comprised one of the final components of the total war promulgated by Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, part of a Nazi endeavor to overcome their enemies' military strength through force of will.[4] Volkssturm units fought unsuccessful battles against Allied forces at the end of the war. On several occasions, its members participated in atrocities, accompanied by German civilians and the Hitler Youth, which were overseen by members of the SS or Gaue leaders.
- ^ Fritz 2004, p. ix.
- ^ Kershaw 2011, pp. 86–88.
- ^ Stargardt 2015, p. 456.
- ^ Kershaw 2001, pp. 713–714.