Cloth insignia of the DRK der DDR

[HPL2008]

As an equivalent to my thread on insignia of the DRK in the FRG and a companion piece to my threads on awards and badges of the DRK in the GDR, I would like to present some cloth insignia for the East German Red Cross as well.

Some of those (namely, cloth qualification badges) are also shown on that parallel thread, but I think it makes sense to include them in both. (Some of the photos are new, though.)

My collection in this field is not very extensive, but I hope these items are of interest and will provide an interesting cross-section on that subject.

Let's start with a generic DRK patch as worn on various types of outer clothing. Originally, these bore only the designation "DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ"; the "DDR" was added in 1966. (The DRK was re-founded in the GDR on 23 October 1952. Initially, it was simply called "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" [German Red Cross] like its counterpart in the FRG. The addendum "der DDR" [of the GDR] was only added to its name in October 1966, at which time the letters "DDR" were also added to the organisation's emblem.

[HPL2008]

The organisation was active in a variety of fields.

Seen from from left to right in the first photo are the insignia for:

• Krankentransport [Ambulance Service. The DRK took over the main responsibility for the ambulance- and emergency medical service in 1953.]
• Bahnhofsdienst [Railway Station Service, taken over by the DRK in 1956 after the Christian Bahnhofsmission (Railway Station Mission) was forcefully disbanded by the state.]
• Junger Sanitäter [Young Medic, the Red Cross youth program. This is one of the most common patches. It comes in embroidered, woven and printed form.]

In the second photo is the patch for the Pflegedienst [Nursing Service]:

[HPL2008]

The DRK also played an important role within the GDR's Zivilverteidigung [Civil Defense] sytem.

Personnel serving with ZV medical units run by the DRK wore the standard Zivilverteidigung shield patch above the circular DRK patch on the sleeves of their field-/work uniforms:

[HPL2008]

Like its West German counterpart, the East German DRK also ran a water rescue service.

The WRD's qualification badge came in a large- and a small-sized metal version and a cloth version for wear on the work- and water sports clothing worn on duty. Here is the cloth version.

Top: First model (used until 1966) in embroidered and woven form; bottom: second model (1966 - 1972).

[HPL2008]

Top left is the third model badge (1972 - 1990), bottom is the Allgemeines Rettungsschwimmerabzeichen [General Lifeguard Badge]:

The chevrons seen top right were worn below the third model badge and identified the wearers qualification level and/or age:

First system (1972 - 1982):

• Red-and-blue chevron: Successfully completed specialist training and qualification for single duty
• Blue chevron: Successfully completed specialist training

Second and final system (1983 - 1990):

• Red chevron: For lifeguards over 18 years of age. 1 chevron = Stufe I [level I], 2 chevrons = Stufe II [level II]
• Red-and-blue chevron: Lifeguard of 16 - 18 years of age. 1 chevron = Stufe I [level I], 2 chevrons = Stufe II [level II]
• Blue chevron: Lifeguard below 16 years of age

[HPL2008]

There was also a "Junger Rettungsschwimmer" ["Young Lifeguard"] badge in a metal and cloth version.

Left is the first model (used until 1972), right the second model (1972 - 1990). Note that the aforementioned blue chevron is included in the design of the patch, as the youth organisation members who wore this badge were all below 16 years of age:

[HPL2008]

This is the Abzeichen "Vorbeugen und Retten" ["Prevent and Rescue" Badge]. Instituted in 1972 and issued until the end of the GDR, it was awarded in three grades (I, II and III) and came in a printed cloth version only.

Unfortunately, I don't have any details on criteria etc., but as far as I know, it was part of the swimming training undertaken at schools:

[HPL2008]

Thanks for your patience; that was the last repetition from the other thread.

Here are some armbands: General purpose, for physicians and for "young medics":

[HPL2008]

Here are some trade-/qualification badges worn on the lower left sleeve.

In the top row are badges for qualified medics serving with Sanitätsformationen [medical units] integrated into the Zivilverteidigung. A silver (white) border was worn by Zugführer [platoon leaders] and their deputies, red by Gruppenführer [squad leaders], black by others.

The "L" badge was for Lehrkräfte [instructors].

The Aesculapius Rod was for fully qualified physicians. Physicians in the three highest duty positions of Präsident [President], Vizepräsident [Vice President] and Leiter des Zentralen Stabes [Head of the Central Staff] wore a golden Aesculapius Rod.

[HPL2008]

Like personnel of the police and fire brigades, DRK personnel wore sleeve chevrons indicating their length of service.

Here is a single chevron for 5 years. It can be identified as being for the DRK by the grey backing color:

[HPL2008]

The grey service dress was worn with collar patches. Collar patch piping indicated the wearer's assignment level, rank was indicated by a system of stripes, pips and oak leaves.

There were 30 or so different collar patches. So far, I have only 11 pairs, but at least I can present the full range for the lowest organisational level, the Grundorganisation or Betriebs-/Hochschulkomitee [Basic Organisation or Factory-/University Committee]:

Top row, left to right:

• Gesundheitshelfer
• Stellvertretender Vorsitzender
• Vorsitzender

Bottom row, left to right:

• Stellvertretender Vorsitzender Zentralkomittee
• Vorsitzender Zentralkomitee

In the second photo is a closer look at the construction. Note that the striped braid is made of one piece:

[HPL2008]

"Collar patches from the Kreis [County] level. (Two examples out of four different ranks for this level.)

Left: Kreissekretär or Stellvertretender Vorsitzender Kreiskomitee, right: Vorsitzender Kreiskomitee:"

[HPL2008]

These are collar patches for personnel of Sanitätsformationen integrated into the Zivilverteidigung. (Three examples out of five different ranks.)

Top, left to right:

• Gruppenführer
• Stellvertretender Kommandeur Abteilung

Bottom:

• Kommandeur Abteilung

[HPL2008]

Personnel of the Jugendzüge [Youth Platoons] wore blue rather than red stripes and piping. There were only two ranks for those, Gruppenführer and Zugführer. Shown below are the collar patches for a Zugführer:

[HPL2008]

No collar patches were worn on the work-/field uniform of these ZV units. Instead, rank was indicated by a system of sleeve stripes similiar to that worn by the Kampfgruppen. The sleeve stripes reflected the stripes used on the collar patches. Thus, there were broad and narrow stripes in red and blue: