DDR reference books

[Ralph P]

Hello all - I know over the years there have been threads on the DDR forum related to DDR reference books. So I believe it would be good to have this thread pinned so that fellow collectors can read through and make their determination on what reference books they should/need to have as they build on their collections.

Listed below are some of the earlier threads created on this forum.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=265886
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=149840
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=332422
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=556582

Please add your comments and photos of books you want to make sure others know about, even if the books have been discussed on earlier threads.

[ehrentitle]

What you have as reference books is most influenced by what you collect. Since I started out focusing on medals, badges and insignia these would be the top books I'd recommend in that category:

DDR Spezialkatalog 1949-1990 - Band I: Staatliche Auszeichnungen, published in 2003 by Frank Bartel A comprehensive guide to State Awards, medals and decorations.

DDR Spezialkatalog Band II, Auszeichnungen der bewaffneten Organe der DDR, published 2009, by Frank Bartel. A comprehensive guide to badges worn by armed organizations of the DDR, NVA, police, fire, border guard, customs, etc

Uniformeffekten der bewaffneten Organe der DDR Spezialkatalog Band I, Ministerium des Innern 1949-1990, published in 1993 by Klaus Walther A comprehensive guide to shoulder boards, patches, cuff titles, cap badges and other uniform insignia worn by the Ministry of Interior (Police).

Uniformeffekten der bewaffneten Organe der DDR Spezialkatalog Band II, Ministerium fur Nationale Verteidigung 1956-1990, Ministerium fur Staatssicherheirt 1956-1989, published in 1994 by Klaus Walther. A comprehensive guide to shoulder boards, patches, cuff titles, cap badges and other uniform insignia worn by the NVA and Stasi.

Auszeichnungen der Nationalen Volksarmee der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, published in 1994 by Klaus Feder. A comprehensive guide to medals and badges issued by the NVA.

Militärische Abzeichen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, published in 1988 by Klaus Feder. Often called "The Red Book", published during DDR times it contains color illustrations of most NVA badges, pins and related insignia.

Uniformen der Nationalen Volsarmee der DDR, 1956-1986, Published 1990 by Klaus Keubke and Manfred Kunz. A comprehensive guide to NVA uniforms. There is a later expanded blue covered version that is less expensive Militärische Uniformen in der DDR 1949-1990, published in 2006.

Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia: A Collectors Guide Vol I, published 2007 by Ralph Pickard. A detailed study of Stasi medals and their certificates all in English,

Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia: Vol II, published 2012 by Ralph Pickard
A comprehensive guide to Stasi medals, uniforms, shoulder boards, insignia, documents, etc all in English.

[Johelmet]

Well, I have one book, and I have found it most interesting.

The East German Army, by Thomas M. Forster

It gives a brief history of the NVA from it's beginnings to the early 1960s. It mostly focuses on the NVA before 1965, so it provides good descriptive detail on the armed forces during the time they were wearing blumentarn. It has some information on police and political organisations, but not much.

I found it very informative on the NVA, how it was organised, training and recruitment. It may have some biased views here and there, but overall a good book in my opinion.

Oh, it's isn't useful in terms of uniforms or individual stuff. Mostly just focuses on information of the forces until the early 1960s.

[ehrentitle]

Well, I have one book, and I have found it most interesting.

The East German Army, by Thomas M. Forster

It gives a brief history of the NVA from it's beginnings to the early 1960s. It mostly focuses on the NVA before 1965, so it provides good descriptive detail on the armed forces during the time they were wearing blumentarn. It has some information on police and political organisations, but not much.

I found it very informative on the NVA, how it was organised, training and recruitment. It may have some biased views here and there, but overall a good book in my opinion.

Oh, it's isn't useful in terms of uniforms or individual stuff. Mostly just focuses on information of the forces until the early 1960s.

What's the publication date on your book? There were at least two editions of this book published in 1967 and again in 1980, mine is dated 1980 and includes information on more modern uniforms and equipment.

It's also rumored that Thomas M. Forester didn't exist and that the book was put together by West German intelligence. THe title of the original German book before translation was Die NVA: Kernstück der Landesverteidigung der DDR.

[speedytop]

There are 6 editions, from 1964 to 1983.

Thomas M. Forster
- NVA Die Armee der Sowjetzone,
and later
- Die NVA, Kernstück der Landesverteidigung der DDR

The 1980 edition is in English?

Uwe

[ehrentitle]

There are 6 editions, from 1964 to 1983.

Thomas M. Forster
- NVA Die Armee der Sowjetzone,
and later
- Die NVA, Kernstück der Landesverteidigung der DDR

The 1980 edition is in English?

Uwe

The 1967 and 1980 editions are in English. Mine, printed in 1980, has the property stamp of the Reference Library U.S. Mission Berlin. It was published and distributed by George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London but printed in Germany by Rock and Co., Wolfenbüttel. Also made in Wolfenbüttel, Jägermeister.

[Johelmet]

What's the publication date on your book? There were at least two editions of this book published in 1967 and again in 1980, mine is dated 1980 and includes information on more modern uniforms and equipment.

It's also rumored that Thomas M. Forester didn't exist and that the book was put together by West German intelligence. THe title of the original German book before translation was Die NVA: Kernstück der Landesverteidigung der DDR.

Mine is the American published version, from 1968. That's why it focuses on the NVA before 1965, probably took a while before it was published in the US.

Well, that is a interesting rumour, but unless there's proof it's just a rumour. But probably possible with this being the Cold War, full of spies and espionage.

Maybe a indiscriminate way of preparing US allies with latest information on the Warsaw pact?

[ehrentitle]

I'd forgotten that there were separate UK and US releases of this book. Is the title of your book The East German Army: A Pattern of a Communist Military Establishment published by A. S. Barnes and Company, 1968?

[vacollector]

A none DDR subjected book of VERY important information for the DDR collector, has information about the players involved in the creating the SED and the East German state. Nigel Jones's " The Birth Of The Nazis " It talks alot about the influances of Leninist idealogies in the days after the Kaiser abdicated. Mr. Jones writes about the birth of the KPD from the Spartacist movement. It also introduces us to the early activities of a young Wilhelm Peick.

[vacollector]

Stasi: the untold story of the East German secret police - by Ari Marmell
This book not only covers the operations in Germany by the Stasi. It also covers the tense relationships that the KGB had with the Germany MfS junior officers. It covers the very early years of the MfS from the founding of the the DDR until the collapse. Highly recommended!

[Johelmet]

I'd forgotten that there were separate UK and US releases of this book. Is the title of your book The East German Army: A Pattern of a Communist Military Establishment published by A. S. Barnes and Company, 1968?

Yup.

[uscob]

Just to follow up with the Special Catalogues from Frank Bartel, much more detailed as the previous Editions.
Band:
I - Staatliche Auszeichnungen
II - Auszeichnungne der bewaffneten Organe
III - Not published yet
IV - Gewerkschaftsbund, Parteien & Nationale Front **
V - FDJ & JP **
VI - Sportorganisationen
VII- GST **
VIII- DRK
IX - Verband der Kleingärtner, Siedler & Kleintierzüchter
X - Gesellschaftliche Organisationen
It's said that these Catalogs cover over 14.500 colour Pictures, often in original Size of the Awards and Insignia.
Numbers with a "**" are allready sold out.
Also the older "1 Book " Catalog is sold out.
I know it's a real Pain in the A..., as they're all around 27 - 30 Euros ea. but the knowledge in there isn't payable.
Here's a small translation of the Volumes:

I - State Awards
II - Awards of the armed forces
III - Not yet published
IV - Trade Unions, political parties and National Front **
V - FDJ and JP **
VI - Sports Organizations
VII-GST **
VIII Red Cross
IX - Federation of Allotment Gardeners & Small Animal Breeders
X - Social Organizations

[Ralph P]

Hello all - I thought I would add to Nico's post about Frank Bartel's books. A couple of years ago Frank was kind enough to send me a draft of a possible release of band XI (at this time a rare copy) which is shown on the leftside of the photo. The other two copies are signed copies to me. Since then he has been kind enough to send me more signed copies of his book.

I posted this photo in the following thread a couple years ago.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=483465

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

For those of you who are interested in the Deutschen Reichsbahn (DR) I would recommend the books written by Hartut Schöttge. The books of interest for the DDR are;
Eisenbahneruniformen der Reichsbahn - 1946 bis 1965
Eisenbahneruniformen der Reichsbahn - 1957 bis 1967
Eisenbahneruniformen der Reichsbahn - 1968 bis 1978
Eisenbahneruniformen der Reichsbahn - 1979 bis 1989
Eisenbahneruniformen der Reichsbahn - 1990 bis 1993
I bought the 1990 bis 1993 volume as the DR continued in existance for over two years following the unification of Germany. In 1993 the two railroads were merged to form the Bundesbahn. During the period 1990 to 1993 new uniforms were introduced for the DR and it helps to be able to identify exactly which ones these were.

Regards,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

Thanks Gordon.