West German Polizei

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Why is this woman's uniform from Frankfurt when she wears the cap eagle from Nuremberg?

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

Klaus,

Why is this woman's uniform from Frankfurt when she wears the cap eagle from Nuremberg?

Regards,

Gordon

Because Nürnberg eagle is different. It has human head (of man, or woman sometimes), but the eagle of woman's cap is normal eagle head with crown. The sleeve patch is even clearer - white eagle is symbol of Frankfurt am Main. If compare closely with Nürnberg Stadtpolizei cap, difference is visible.

Regards
Klaus

[Klaus1989]

Found out from archived edition of Die Zeit the mention, that Frankfurt form a female Hilfspolizei in year 1960. This is earlier than most areas. They were only Politessen, to issue parking tickets. The city police units in Hessen were absorbed by Landespolizei starting 1967 as part of restructuring reforms. So the uniform is from 1960s, which I suspected.

Regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Gentlemen,

My first thoughts on seeing TJs picture was that it was sold for what it is. That is an early SBZ (Soviet zone for those not familiar with the term) Volkspolizei man. I have now satisfied myself that it is very early post war East German and I sent a PM to TJ with my thoughts before posting them. My reference for this is the book "Polizei-Abzeichen - Helme-Heraldik-Historische 3. Band 1945-1993 pages 106-108 plus my own collection.
Here is a picture of the cap badges worn by the German States in the SBZ Plus the etx that goes along with it from the referenced book.

EARLY EAST GERMAN POLIZEI CAP BADGES.

Abb. 3/79. Mützenabzeichen der Volkspolizei, oben in Sachsen (o27 mm); Mitte li.: Mecklenburg, rechts: Thüringen; unten links: Sachsen-Anhalt, rechts: Sachsen, mitte:Schildwappen schwarz-rot-gelb ab 19500 für alle länder außer in Berlin=Ost-teil; alle Sterne von 31 mm o; Sa.-Anhalt und Sachsen in unterer Reihe aus Weißmetall, sonst Aluminum. Runde Abzeichen der Zeit 1947/48 wurden teilweise bis 1950 getragen, insbesondere bei der Feuerwehr.

Fig. 3/79th cap badge of the Volkspolizei, above in Saxony (ø27 mm); Middle left: Mecklenburg, right: Thuringia, Germany; bottom left: Saxony-Anhalt, right: Saxony, Middle: shield emblem of black red yellow from 1950 for all countries except in Berlin = eastern part; All Star by 31 mm ø; SA-Anhalt and Saxony in lower range from white metal or aluminum. Round badge of time 1947/48 held partially until 1950, in particular at the fire department.

Regards,

Gordon

Gordon,

You are a gentleman as always and I appreciate the care you took on my behalf, especially as it shed light on a poorly understood period of history.

Many thanks,
TJ

[Gordon Craig]

Found out from archived edition of Die Zeit the mention, that Frankfurt form a female Hilfspolizei in year 1960. This is earlier than most areas. They were only Politessen, to issue parking tickets. The city police units in Hessen were absorbed by Landespolizei starting 1967 as part of restructuring reforms. So the uniform is from 1960s, which I suspected.

Regards
Klaus

Klaus,

Good eyes. I thought that the one eagle was not formed correctly. Good info on the formation of the Female Hilfspolizei.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

With some gentle prodding from my wife I started sorting through some boxes in the basement trying to make some room on the floor so she could get to the desktop in one corner. As usual, I found things I had forgotten I had so here goes with some fotos and discussion on the PP Berlin artifacts that came to light.

First up, an arm badge as worn by the Bereightschaftspolizei Berlin. This brown arm badge was worn on the two piece uniform during field training by units of the PP Brln.

[Gordon Craig]

A piece of tableware used by PP Brln.

[Gordon Craig]

A small pouch, marked to PP Brln, containing a rough piece of cloth. I do not have a reference to this pouch and cloth but it would seem that a reasonable use for this cloth would be to lay out pieces of a weapon that you were field stripping.

[Gordon Craig]

The cloth and the markings on the pouch.

[Gordon Craig]

A single leather G1 PP Brln marked magazine pouch and the belt clip that goes on the back of the belt. Someday I must get a mate to this magazine pouch.

[Gordon Craig]

The markings on this G1 pouch and a single MP leather pouch. It is unmarked and I am not sure of the weapon it goes with but it has to go someplace and this is as good as any!

[Gordon Craig]

The back of the MP pouch and a small pouch containing a rain cover for a visor cap. Colour of the pouch is right for PP Brln as is the blue trim around the outside of the rain cover.

[Gordon Craig]

The back of the pouch for the rain cover and the cover itself.

[Gordon Craig]

There is a small paper tag on the rain cover with a hand written 3 on it. Possible size indicator?

[Gordon Craig]

I mentioned before that the PP Brln members wore a two piece brown field uniform. And I'll show a picture of it in wear shortly but they changed from a brown two piece field uniform to blue set of coveralls at a time unknown to me and here is what I believe to be a pair of the blue coveralls with a matching overseas cap. These coverall made just have been worn for duty around the barracks instead of in the field. I am still searching for a picture of them in wear.