The 1936 Nuremberg Rally
The Rally of Honour (8th-14th September)
This rally focused on the remilitarization of the Rhineland, framed as restoring German national honour.
This was the first year when the "Cathedral of Light" display was used as the climax to "The Day of Political Leaders".
An excellent image that not only shows the searchlights, the gilded swastika and the fire-bowls but the saluting participants give a sense of the occasion
Many accounts state that the 'Cathedral of Light' display began in 1933......however, I don't believe this is accurate for the following reasons.
1933: The shorter rally didn't have a day dedicated to political leaders and the only evening events were the torchlight parade in the city centre on Saturday September 2nd and fireworks on Sunday 3rd at the Zeppelin Field.
1934: The "Day of Political Leaders" was on Friday September 7th and Leni Riefenstahl's film shows the floodlights on the Führer podium but does not include the 'Cathedral of Light'.
1935: The "Day of Political Leaders" was on Friday 13th September with the review beginning at 5pm. At 8pm Hitler was speaking to a meeting of the National Socialists Women's Association in the Luitpold Hall.
1936: The "Day of Political Leaders" review began at 8:00pm just as complete darkness was falling (sunset 6:32pm)
More conclusively, the Museum of Nuremberg City in their publication, "Nuremberg - Site of the Nazi Party Rallies" clearly states that the Cathedral of Light display was 1936.
A Luftwaffe 152 searchlight - the type used in the 'Cathedral of Light' display
It is said that Göring was unhappy that almost the entire stock of searchlights were being used but Hitler overruled him suggesting that using such large numbers could trick other nations into believing Germany had far more searchlights than they actually did.
During this rally, the Labour Service men performed a new Nazi ritual - one typical of the party's attempts to create a pseudo-religious cult as a substitute for Christian worship.
The ritual went as follows:
(Over the loudspeakers)
Once a year the spade shall rest.
Once a year there comes the time for us to stand before our Führer for whom we work day by day.
In this hour, new faith is kindled.
(Response)
We are ready.
(Loudspeaker)
No one is too good.........
(Response)
......to work for Germany.
(Loudspeaker)
No one is too humble.........
(Response)
......to work for Germany.
(Loudspeaker)
Each has the right and each has the duty.........
(Response)
......to work for Germany, the Fatherland.
(Loudspeaker)
We have carried you deep in our hearts, but we cannot say it in words.
(Response)
Germany, Fatherland.
(Loudspeaker)
Then the law came, work became duty. Now we all stand side by side.
(Response)
Germany, Fatherland.
(Loudspeaker)
The fulfillment of duty for us is not surfdom. We carry the spade in the service of the nation. We come before you as workers.
(Response)
Germany, Fatherland.
(Loudspeaker)
The Führer wants to give the world peace.
(Response)
Wherever he leads, we follow.
(Loudspeaker)
We lift up our heads and think of our brothers who suffered in the trenches and of the others who fought murder and hatred in our streets. They died for Germany.
(Response)
But today we can live for Germany.
Other events during the week-long rally had similar rituals.
This was the first rally which included the Luftwaffe.
A fly-past by (possibly) Heinkel He 51s: This was the Luftwaffe's primary biplane fighter at the time
Squadrons such as the "Richthofen" flew these in mass formations and low-level passes over the Zeppelin Field
The Reichswehr (with no air force) became the Wehrmacht (with air force).
The emblems of the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht......the Reichswehr consisted of the army & navy.
After 1935, when the Luftwaffe was officially established, the Reichswehr was renamed the Wehrmacht.