MdI Uniform Question

[Kartofelpreußer]

On what occasions would the VoPo, and as a separate question the BePo, have used white shirts with their uniforms (if any)?

I see some plates in the 80's VoPo uniform regs that look like white shirts, specifically for Gesellschaft use, but it's hard to tell, and my German isn't quite there to glean anything from the text, at least not quickly.

Did the VoPo of officer rank use white shirts for parade as the NVA? Or did they stick with the green-tinged shirts as for Dienst?

Also, even if the regular VP didn't use white shirts for parade, what about the Bereitschaft units? They adopted many army-style bits in their dress-- shooting cords, cuff bars-- would they have also used the white shirts (at least officers) for parade dress?

Would be great if anyone had any input on this.

[Kartofelpreußer]

I think I produced my own answer to this question:

In the 1983 Volkspolizei regs, the first table is for "Dienstuniform für besondere Anlässe" (for special occasions?) which is followed by a list of "besondere Anlässe" that includes parades, graduations, honor guards, funerals, and other similar events. In all sub-combinations, the one and only shirt listed is "Oberhemd, weiß" (as opposed to just plain "Oberhemd" for most other duties, which I assume alludes to the greenish-tinged MdI service shirt.

But what about the Kaserniernte Einheiten? They have their own table, which doesn't list a white shirt at all, just the ordinary Oberhemd. But the really confusing bit for me, as a non-native and very rusty German speaker, was the footnote:"Das Oberhemd, weiß, ist durch Offiziere, Berufsunterführer, und Offiziersschüler zu den Uniformarten C 3 und C 12 zu besonderen Anlässen sowie im Ausgang und Urlaub zu tragen."

As I understand it, it is saying that officers, Berufsunterführers, and OCS students wear the white shirts with uniform sets C 3 and C 12, "for special purposes" (the same ones described in the general VP table above), and with the Walking out uniform.

Am I misreading it? I may well be, but as I read it my understanding is as follows:

-- Regular VoPo would wear white shirts for all "special occasions", regardless of rank.

-- BePo would wear the greenish shirt for "special occasions", but officers, senior NCOs, and officer cnadidates would be entitled to wear the white shirt.

That would make sense, as the BePo arrangement would more closely mimic military protocol. But of course that's just the regs, Lord knows what was done in practice...

I'd appreciate any input on this as to whether I am interpreting the German, and the tables, correctly or incorrectly. THANKS!

[SCHUPO]

I think you have got it. White jac-shirts might also be worn on other occasions such as when authorized as the uniform of the day (i.e. for a funeral) or by traffic policemen when performing their duties.

[Kartofelpreußer]

I think you have got it. White jac-shirts might also be worn on other occasions such as when authorized as the uniform of the day (i.e. for a funeral) or by traffic policemen when performing their duties.

Thanks for the assistance. Am I right in understanding that "Oberhemd, weiß" is the jack-shirt in white, worn under the tunic when appropriate?

Did the MdI use the same formal shirts with small perloid buttons as the NVA? If so, it seems that would be for Gesellschaft uniform only, since it seems the "Oberhemd, weiß" is specified for parade and ceremonial purposes.