Meaning: The quote you provided is a statement by Fritz Sauckel, a prominent Nazi official during World War II. Sauckel served as the head of the German Labour Front and was responsible for the mobilization of forced labor in Nazi-occupied territories. The quote reflects Sauckel's desire to join the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany, as an ordinary soldier, and his frustration at Adolf Hitler's refusal to grant him permission to do so.

Fritz Sauckel was born on October 27, 1894, in Germany. He served in the German army during World War I and later became involved in far-right political movements. After the Nazi Party came to power in 1933, Sauckel joined the party and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1942, he was appointed as Plenipotentiary General for the Allocation of Labour, a position that gave him extensive powers over the recruitment and allocation of forced laborers for the German war effort.

Sauckel's statement about his desire to join the Wehrmacht as an ordinary soldier sheds light on his personal ambitions and his relationship with Hitler. Despite holding a position of significant influence within the Nazi regime, Sauckel expressed a longing to serve as a common soldier in the military. This sentiment may reflect a desire for a more direct and traditional form of participation in the war, as opposed to his administrative role in overseeing labor mobilization.

The fact that Hitler refused Sauckel's request is notable, as it underscores the dynamics of power and authority within the Nazi hierarchy. Despite Sauckel's loyalty to the regime and his pivotal role in managing the forced labor system, Hitler's decision to deny him permission to join the Wehrmacht indicates that personal ambitions and aspirations were subject to the Fuehrer's control and discretion. It also highlights the strict delineation of roles and responsibilities within the Nazi leadership, with individuals being expected to fulfill their assigned duties rather than seeking alternative paths.

Sauckel's statement can also be viewed in the context of the broader militarization and ideological fervor that characterized Nazi Germany during the war. The image of a high-ranking official expressing a wish to serve as an ordinary soldier reflects a romanticized notion of military service and sacrifice, which was often propagated by the Nazi regime as a central component of its propaganda and national identity. Sauckel's desire to join the Wehrmacht can be seen as a manifestation of this idealized view of the military and its perceived heroic virtues.

In conclusion, Fritz Sauckel's statement about his unsuccessful attempts to join the Wehrmacht as a regular soldier provides insight into his personal aspirations, the dynamics of power within the Nazi regime, and the broader ideological context of wartime Germany. It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between individual desires, official duties, and the authoritarian constraints of the Nazi leadership.