In 1936, Hildegard Trutz, an 18-year-old with the ideal Aryan appearance, became involved in the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM), the women’s counterpart to the Hitler Youth. Her popularity led her to a chilling endeavor as a participant in the Lebensborn program, a lesser-known Nazi initiative aimed at boosting Aryan birth rates.
Facing an uncertain future after school, Hildegard received a suggestion from a BDM leader: contribute to the Lebensborn initiative. With Nazi Germany seeking more Aryan children, Hildegard, being the epitome of Aryan features, willingly volunteered.
The Castle of Lebensborn Program
Hildegard, along with other girls, underwent medical tests and ancestry investigations at a Bavarian castle dedicated to the Lebensborn program. Despite the cold nature of the initiative, the castle offered luxuries, including a cinema, for the participants.
More Read
After passing rigorous tests, Hildegard moved to the next phase: getting pregnant. She willingly signed away any rights to her child after birth. The SS officers, chosen for their Aryan characteristics, were introduced, allowing the women to “date” before the final pairing. Hildegard discovered her pregnancy after multiple encounters with her chosen SS officer.
Birth in Silence
Hildegard’s pregnancy marked the end of her time at the Bavarian castle. She gave birth without any pain relief, and her son was taken away after two weeks. Despite the emotional challenges, she didn’t harbor resentment toward her role.
Hildegard contemplated continuing her duty but fell in love and married another officer. The Lebensborn program produced over 20,000 babies, with records destroyed by the Nazis, leaving many without knowledge of their origins.
,){kind=link}