BGS BundesGrenzSchutz

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

On the subject of early BGS vehicles, I offer this image of a World War II era Greyhound Armored car modified with the addition of an MG-42 and a Hispano-Suiza 20 mm autocannon (HS 804).


The Greyhound was known in BGS service as the Ford Typ M 8 Gepanzerter Sonderwagen.


All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

Here is a wonderful study of an early BGS officer in action during an exercise.

A quick glance would lead one to believe they were viewing an image from the Battle of Stalingrad, but careful study reveals the BGS "round blouse" and other period details from the 1950s.

All the best,
TJ

[Klaus1989]

excellent view of the early helmet net with the drawstring instead of hooks, still search for one. Finally sourced one of the early green shirts like he wear after almost 10 years of search however, will take pics soon.

However he is not officer, but Grenzoberjäger! The first Rundbundblusen had pointed wool epaulettes for the Grenzjäger ranks, but these were replaced with the more familiar shoulderboards after only a couple years (enlisted rank structure was expanded around same time).

Regards
Klaus

[SCHUPO]

Notice he is wearing an Astra 600 pistol and holster as well as carrying his Kar98k.

[Klaus1989]

yes use of 1 ammo pouch and holster was standard in early years with Kar.98k before introduction of FN Gewehr. 2 ammo pouches like WW2 is not seen so often in photos.

[Guardian 5]

Hello Klaus and SCHUPO,

Thanks for the great comments.

All the best,
TJ

[Klaus1989]

not look very interesting at first, but something i hunt for almost 10 years and finally find with help from another collector! 1st model BGS shirt, only 1 i have seen outside period photo.

BGS introduced 1951 shirt in pullover style with 2 pointed pocket flaps and epaulettes. Material is schwarzgrün cotton twill, buttons are typical form for early BGS. Around time 4-pocket Dienstrock was introduced 1953, this was replaced by a blue/grey service shirt with full button front and the epaulettes eliminated. However the old green shirt stocks continued to be worn out in field as late as 1955/56. This example has frayed cuffs and many repairs/patches, so it seem they were worn until fell apart and explain why so rare.









Period photos (credit: beim-alten-bgs)

Regards
Klaus

[Collectinsteve]

Congratulations on the shirt! That is a very rare find. Service shirts are hard to find even though to the 1970s period, but for sure what you have is far harder to find than others.

Are there any markings/labels in your shirt?

Steve

[Klaus1989]

Steve,

unfortunately no markings. If it ever had any ink stamps, it would have long ago washed out however - shirt appear to have been washed many times. Labels are rare for early BGS items.

Regards
Klaus

[Collectinsteve]

I figured that would be the case, thanks for confirming that. As you say, shirts generally lack meaningful labeling for many services in many nations. Ink stamps seem to be the most common way to mark, with BW being an obvious exception.

I wonder if your shirt is so well worn because some "alte Hasse" wore it long after the shirts were replaced. Either that or it continued to serve the guy in civilian life after he retired.

Again, congrats on a shirt to compliment your rare 1st model tunic!

Steve

[Klaus1989]

that is possible, but most of this repairs can be attributed to regular service wear. After the blue/grey model was introduced around 1953/54, the green shirts seem to be relegated to field use, where can see them sometimes with the 4 pocket Dienstrock and mixed with the newer types. Here they would have hard use and spare the new shirts a little longer (typical praxis in many armies/paramilitaries) until remaining stocks of green shirts were exhausted. This seem to be around 1956, when they disappear from photos.

Klaus

[Guardian 5]

BGS pose on shattered Panzer

Gents,

I thought this photo of BGS troopers cavorting around a shattered tank destroyer would be of interest. So much to see!

I posted this image to the "Achtung Panzer" site as well and will update this post with any relevant comments.

What do you think about the figure to the far right of the photo? Is he wearing some kind of jerkin? Perhaps he is a Forest meister or some other official?

Many thanks,
TJ

[Gordon Craig]

TJ,

Interesting photo. The some what battered tracked vehicle actually belongs to the artillery and was not a tank destroyer. If memory serves me right, it was called a "Morser". A large mortar on tracks. The three guys standing at the right front of the vehicle are interesting. Two appear to be wearing a Kar98k type ammo pouch on their right side while the chap in the centre wears his Kar98k type pouch on his left side and something hard to distinguish on his right side. Possibly the MG42/MG3 gunners pouch|?
As for the chap not in a BGS uniform, probably some sort of warden who looks after the range. He isn't wearing a Foresters uniform though.

Regards,

Gordon

[michelwijnand]

Is it not a regular Jagdpanther with part of the barrel missing?

[Klaus1989]

yes BGS man with Kar.98k pouch on his left wear the MG pouch on the right (which is interesting, because normally BGS MG gunners not wear 98k pouches). Man on right could be some kind of civil official as suggested or even a local farmer.

Klaus