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The Wachbattallion - A brief Histroy

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    The Wachbattallion - A brief Histroy

    Gentelemen,

    What I have prepared below is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate up to the summer of 2008.

    Regards,

    Gordon
    The Wachbataillon - a brief history
    The Wachbataillon’s full name is;
    Wachbataillon beim Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (WachBtlBMVg).
    Motto: SEMPER TALIS (ALWAYS THE SAME/GREAT)
    Nickname: Protter or Prottersoldaten (Protocal Soldier)
    It is the largest Battalion in the Bundeswehr with about 1800 members. Approximately 80% of the Battalion are conscripts. To be selected to serve in the battalion the applicant must qualify as T1 in the fitness category, be between 1.78 metres (5' 10.1") and 1.93 metres (6' 4") tall, and must not wear glasses. This also rules out anyone with a protruding belly and they are not allowed to grow beards or mustaches. This selection process takes place when the person is a new recruit. Training for the recruits to the Battalion is slightly different than for a recruit in other units with much emphasis place on perfect performance on the drill square. Other basic skills of a member of the Bundeswehr are not forgotten and he is fully trained. Members of the battalion are from all three services and have the uniforms of each service hanging in their locker so they can perform any drill mission on every occasion. Since it is not possible to perform their drill movements with their normal day duty firearm, the H&K G36, they used the Kar98k. In 1995 one of the German political parties, the SPD, criticized the use of rifles bearing NAZI era markings by the battalion and any remaining markings from that era were removed from the rifles.
    The battalion consists of nine companies, at present, and it belongs to the Streitkräftebasis (Joint Service Support Command) of the Bundeswehr. It was activated on the 15th of February, 1957 in Rhineback. In 1959 it moved to Siegburg. In 1959 an Air Force Company was added. In 1973 a Naval Company was added. In 1995 two companies were moved to Berlin. In 2001 the Headquarters of the battalion was officially moved to Berlin. In 2002 a Security Company was added. Location and duties of the nine Companies are as follows:
    COMPANY DUTY OF COMPANY ARM STATIONED
    1./WachBtlBMVg Staff- and Supply Company Army Berlin
    2.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Army Berlin
    3.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Army Siegburg
    4.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Navy Berlin
    5.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Air Force Berlin
    6.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Army Siegburg
    7.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Army Berlin
    8.WachBtlBMVg Protocol- and Security Company Army Berlin

    #2
    Page Two;
    9.WachBtlBMVg Security Company Army: Jägertruppe Berlin
    Air Force/Navy: provide a portion of the non-commissioned personnel
    The primary mission of the Battalion is to perform military honours for the German President, the German Chancellor, the Federal Minister of Defence and the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr during state visits or other comparable occasions. Some of the special occasions that the battalion takes part in, both national and international, are; ceremonial oath of the Bundeswehr ceremony, parades, military tattoos, and displays of its drill team which is a specially trained unit of the battalion.
    It has the secondary missions of, Ceremonial Guard Duty at the Ministry of Defence and other high profile places, protect and guard members of the German Government and the Ministry of Defence.
    An additional secondary duty was securing and defending the alternate seat of the federal German government in conjunction with the Federal Border Guard. Since the end of the cold war this mission has been somewhat obsolescent. Also, since the Federal Border Guard is now the Federal Police Force this duty may no longer exist. The first company is equipped with 6 Fedlhaubitze 105mm guns for the purpose of firing a salute. They are the only Bundeswehr unit still using this particular piece of equipment.

    Next, some pictures of a uniform from 5./WachBtlBMVg from mycollection.
    Attached Files

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      #3
      A close up of the breast hanger.
      Attached Files

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        #4
        The cuffband.
        Attached Files

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          #5
          Part of 5./WachBtlBMVg on parade.
          Attached Files

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            #6
            Gordon - Thanks for starting this thread and education about the history of the Wachbattallion
            Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just don't dare express themselves as we did. Quote - Sophie Scholl - White Rose resistance group

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              #7
              Gordon - Is the WachBtlBMVg on parade a recent photograph?

              Originally posted by Gordon Craig View Post
              Part of 5./WachBtlBMVg on parade.
              Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just don't dare express themselves as we did. Quote - Sophie Scholl - White Rose resistance group

              Comment


                #8
                Bonn Wach Bataillon ???

                Originally posted by Gordon Craig View Post
                ...The Wachbataillon - a brief history ...activated on the 15th of February,
                1957 in Rhineback. In 1959 it moved to Siegburg. ...
                Nice info, but did the unit ever serve in Bonn? I ask as many years ago I
                came across what I guess is called a pre-1965 eagle version flag, see
                below. Have you ever seen any photos of this Wach unit flag on parade?
                ............... OLDFLAGSWANTED ................
                sigpic
                .......^^^ .................... some of my collection ...................... ^^^...

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Ralph Pickard View Post
                  Gordon - Is the WachBtlBMVg on parade a recent photograph?
                  Ralph,

                  Sorry but I do not nkow what year this picture was taken.

                  Regards,

                  Gordon

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by oldflagswanted View Post
                    Nice info, but did the unit ever serve in Bonn? I ask as many years ago I
                    came across what I guess is called a pre-1965 eagle version flag, see
                    below. Have you ever seen any photos of this Wach unit flag on parade?
                    ............... OLDFLAGSWANTED ................
                    The Wachbattallion was never stationed in Bonn. The Wachbattallion was presented with the first Truppenfahne given to the Bundeswehr. It was presented by the Federal President, Heinrich Luebke, in Bonn in the summer of 1965. Possibly 16 July. This flag is now kept at the Wachbattallion Headquarters in Berlin. I have seen flags with a fringe pictured in parades by the Wachbattallion but it was never possible to tell if this particular flag was the one in the photo.

                    Regards,

                    Gordon
                    Last edited by Gordon Craig; 12-22-2009, 01:44 PM.

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                      #11
                      Nice Wachbataillon uniform (any Heer?)! What year is it dated?

                      regards
                      Klaus

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                        #12
                        The flag on parade with 5./WachBattlBMVg.
                        Attached Files

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                          #13
                          A member of 5./WachBatlBMVg relaxing after a parade.
                          Attached Files

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                            #14
                            The armbadge worn on the right sleeve in the above photo. This armbadge is only worn by 5./WachBatlBMVg.
                            Attached Files

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                              #15
                              A member of the Wachbattalion dressed in marine uniform.
                              Attached Files

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