Operation Ganymede - 7. Chapter 7 - From Freedom to Indoctrination

3:00 PM - End of Class
The bell rang. A brief fifteen-minute break before the measurement session with the tailor. On the porch, Arnfried and Eiseinmann stood overlooking the scene, their upright postures towering over the two pimpfes slouching two steps below. The camp stretched out in the meadow below, its tents perfectly aligned, rigorous and orderly.

— Did you catch what he said at the end? Arnfried asked, raising an eyebrow.
— What?
— You know, that we had to… be like Ganymede? Something about us being Germans… or “Aryans”… something like that.

A perplexed silence followed.

— Naked, you mean? Eiseinmann blurted suddenly.
— No! Well… maybe?

Arnfried made a confused grimace. Eiseinmann, unfazed, shrugged.

— It reminds me of the Wandervögel*, he said finally.
— The what?

Arnfried squinted, intrigued.

— It was a movement. We lived outdoors, went on hikes… but without military discipline.

Arnfried now stared at him, a mix of curiosity and incredulity in his gaze. Eiseinmann continued:

— Before we were grouped like this. Then, we were forced to join the Hitler Youth. For me, it was just last year!

A skeptical smirk crossed Arnfried’s face.

— And why did you say you’ve already done something “naked”?

Eiseinmann gave a vague smile.

— Well… it was a bit weird at first, but you get used to it.

Arnfried frowned, visibly puzzled.

— But… why?!

— It was to feel free. For the body. We mostly did it in summer, during the camps, he answered in a detached tone.

Arnfried’s eyes widened.

— Honestly! That would feel weird to me!
— I told you, at first, yeah, it was strange. But after… you get over it.

An authoritative voice suddenly interrupted their exchange.

*The Wandervögel movement, born in late 19th-century Germany, was an apolitical youth group advocating a return to nature, outdoor living, and a sense of individual freedom. It embodied a romantic and anti-urban spirit, emphasizing hiking, camaraderie, and simplicity.
With the rise of the Nazis in 1933, all independent youth movements, including the Wandervögel, were forced to merge into the official structures of the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend). This integration, formalized as early as 1936 in major cities through the Hitler Youth Law, aimed to centralize and militarize youth activities to instill Nazi values and ideology, particularly discipline, obedience, and the Aryan ideal.
This process marked the end of the free-spirited and nonconformist ethos of the Wandervögel, which was absorbed into a rigid system where spontaneity and individuality were replaced by political indoctrination and military preparation.

3:20 PM - The Tailor
— Good afternoon, gentlemen.

An elderly man in a corduroy suit approached, a cap perched on his head and a measuring tape in hand.

— PERFEKT! barked Dettmann, standing tall and rigid before the aligned boys. This gentleman will take your measurements. When your name is called, step forward.
— JA VOLL, MEIN OBERLEUTNANT! they responded in unison.

Moebius was the first to step out of the line, chin high, standing motionless in an impeccable posture.

— Gut… murmured the tailor, quickly measuring the boy. He noted with precision:
— 142. Neck circumference… 33. Hip circumference… 70. Guttt.

The measurements continued: Klein, Heissler, Eiseinmann. At each name, the old man jotted down numbers in his white notebook, his expression impassive.

— Tomorrow morning, without fail, we’re clear? asked Dettmann, his piercing gaze fixed on the tailor.
— Ja, mein Offizier.

A nod.

— GUT! See you tomorrow.

Turning to the boys:

— In place! We move on to the second half of the lesson.

3:40 PM - Resuming Class
Dettmann walked slowly, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze scrutinized the seated boys, both curious and intimidating.

— Who can tell me what a “depraved person” is?

The boys exchanged glances, searching for an answer. Heissler was the first to respond, drawing from doctrine lessons:

— An enemy of the Reich, mein Oberleutnant!
— Hmm… Not exactly.
— Someone who isn’t Aryan? Moebius ventured.

Dettmann nodded but spoke in a graver tone.

— Not necessarily. Even among our own, there can be depraved people.

A murmur ran through the room. Eiseinmann timidly raised his hand.

— Does it have something to do with what we saw earlier, mein Oberleutnant?

Dettmann approached, intrigued.

— Clarify your question.
— At the Academy, we were told about men… who don’t like women.

A heavy silence fell.

— And?
— We were taught that to be Aryan, we must marry a woman.

Dettmann’s face lit up with a satisfied smile.

— PERFEKT! Exactly. But some men will never marry. Why?

Heissler raised his hand.

— Pastors?
— No. That’s different. And as far as I know, pastors do marry, don’t they? I’m talking about those we call…

A slight suspense.

— Homosexuals.

A stunned silence filled the room. Arnfried, perplexed, murmured:

— How can we recognize them?

Dettmann fixed a sharp gaze on the group.

— An excellent question. They often hide. And that’s the real problem: they can blend in among us. But there’s something worse…

— ??!!
— Pederasts.

The boys froze, incredulous.

— The what? Klein whispered.
— Those who go with boys, Dettmann explained gravely.

Dettmann noticed Eiseinmann blushing, his cheeks turning crimson. Intrigued, he slowly approached, his piercing eyes fixed on the boy.

— Why are you blushing, Eiseinmann? he asked in a voice both soft and insistent.

The other boys immediately turned their attention to Eiseinmann, who seemed to shrink under their gaze. He stammered, words escaping him:

— I… I’ve just… heard about it, mein Oberleutnant.

Dettmann narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing his face intensely, as if to probe his thoughts.

— In what circumstances did you hear about it, Eiseinmann? he pressed, his voice calm but menacing.

Eiseinmann opened his mouth, hesitated for a long moment, then averted his eyes, searching for words.

— I… I don’t know exactly, mein Oberleutnant. I… maybe… I… I don’t remember anymore, mein Oberleutnant.

The other boys, intrigued and uncomfortable, now observed Eiseinmann with increased attention. This boy, who had seemed so confident until now, appeared to melt under their gaze, his composure visibly crumbling.

Dettmann seemed to weigh his options, his gaze never leaving the adolescent. The atmosphere was electric, each second stretching time. Then, unexpectedly, a cryptic smile appeared on his lips.

— PERFEKT. Now, it’s 4:00 PM. Eiseinmann, squad leader. Rooms assigned in pairs. Assembly at 5:00 PM at the bottom of the stairs. EXECUTION!

The boys exchanged stunned looks. Despite his evident distress, even Eiseinmann seemed almost astonished by the appointment. He took a deep breath, as if to dispel his doubts, and raised his head before responding firmly:

— JA VOLL, MEIN OBERLEUTNANT!

Turning to his comrades, he made it a point to embrace his new role, organizing the assembly with clear and precise instructions, despite the visible weight of his emotions. The other boys, still intrigued by the preceding exchanges, complied with his orders, impressed despite themselves by his sudden newfound confidence.