Candid photos - Baden-Wuerttemberg Bereitschaftspolizei March, 1967

[SCHUPO]

TJ,

Excellent photographs. I notice in pix #6 that the fellow seated on the far right (as viewed from here) has what appears to be a DLRG Life Saving award. I noticed another in wear in pix #14. What sports badges would they be wearing at this time?

[Gene T]

I must further confess that I found some of these photos, especially the black and white ones depicting the BEPOs in peaked caps, belted long coats, and calf-length boots, a little jarring. I can only imagine what it would have been like for a foreign visitor to encounter these gents in the immediate post-war years.

It must have been pretty interesting coming from the other direction as well: What was it like to make a living wearing uniforms that resembled so much the "bad guy" costumes in countless contemporary movies and TV shows?

Many of those knee-length boots are being hawked today as TR-era officer's boots, by people who have no memory of these BEPO guys, but who undoubtedly have watched plenty of WW II movies.

Very interesting pictures!

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks for sharing these incredible shots! The "popular location" where some of the pics were taken are ammo containers. These type of cases can be still found today inside Police and Bundeswehr barracks.

[Klaus1989]

so you the one, who one these? I saw this (or photos like it anyway) on ebay.de recently. Good to see it go to good collection.

I lived in the BRD in 1987-1990 and again from 2001 - 2004. I must say that I found the green and tan color scheme worn by the SCHUPOs most unappealing and was glad to see the transition to blue take place just as I was leaving.

I must disagree here! haha The green/beige uniforms were ugly, but the new blue ones are even worse looking...

Regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

Thanks for your comments!

Can anyone help out SCHUPO with his question on sports badges?

Many thanks,
TJ

[Klaus1989]

BGS had DSB Sportabzeichen and DLRG badge at this time, I assume for BaWü Polizei would be same.

Regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

SCHUPO,

I agree with Klaus. Probably a DSB badge due to the shape. Not necessarily with the numbers. This picture I took off the web yesterday.

Regards,

Gordon

[Collectinsteve]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing, TJ.

As someone who collects Polizei Einsatzanzug, I found the closeup of the uniform very interesting. First one I've seen of the uniform in use. I have pictures of one of the jackets and it is made from a cotton/polyester blend in the same color as the regular uniform. What I don't know is when it was in use. Most Polizei forces appear to have switched to a BGS style cotton/canvas type during the early to mid 1960s and continued using it until the 1976 change (probably slightly beyond). So I'd have to guess that photo is from early 1960s.

For the most part the pictures appear to be from "basic training". They all have the same rank (or close to it) and are seen doing the usual things you expect from basic training. Including goofing off in front of the camera

Steve

[Klaus1989]

Steve,
Baden-Württemberg used a cotton "salt and pepper" tunic with 4 pockets and light green collar piping for field use (probably up to 1970s), which is what they wear in the photo. Not aware, that they ever adopted BGS-style Einsatzanzug - these were only seen in a few Bundesländer. I agree though, that some photos appear to be early-mid 60s based on equipment and hairstyles.

Gordon,
those are more recent examples (current version has letters DOSB). 1950s-70s version look like this:



Regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing, TJ.

As someone who collects Polizei Einsatzanzug, I found the closeup of the uniform very interesting. First one I've seen of the uniform in use. I have pictures of one of the jackets and it is made from a cotton/polyester blend in the same color as the regular uniform. What I don't know is when it was in use. Most Polizei forces appear to have switched to a BGS style cotton/canvas type during the early to mid 1960s and continued using it until the 1976 change (probably slightly beyond). So I'd have to guess that photo is from early 1960s.

For the most part the pictures appear to be from "basic training". They all have the same rank (or close to it) and are seen doing the usual things you expect from basic training. Including goofing off in front of the camera

Steve

Hi Steve,

Several of the color photos were printed on Kodak paper and date stamped "Maerz 1967."


The black and white photos weren't date stamped. In fact, there weren't any markings at all. The only exception was the picture of the gents wearing the Einsatzanzug which gave a studio name in Pforzheim.

I'm glad the pictures were of use!

Thanks,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Klaus and Gordon,

Thanks very much for providing the pictures and information on the sports badges.

All the best,
TJ