Polizei GJ?

[lohengrin]

I came across a very interesting photo. Can anyone tell me anything about these guys? Were there SS-Polizei GJ? I have never seen the edelweiss badges on the left sleeve and this low! Different belt buckles etc...
Any info, including the unit will be greatly appreciated!

Mark

[lohengrin]

Another close-up!

[chrischa]

Hello Mark.

Yes, there were police mountain troops. They operated in the Alpine areas, Norway, Slovenia, etc.
There was polizei gebirgs artillery units, infantry, etc.

For instance, the battalions and then regiment 18 was of recruited police (and then reserves) from the southern Germany regions, Garmish, Mittenwald, etc.

Regards,
Chris.

[Simon O.]

http://www.axishistory.com/various/1...er-regiment-18


And their OOB in july '43 whilst in Finland under the XVIII Gebirgs Korps

[lohengrin]

Thank you Chris and Simon!

Was the practice of attaching the GJ patch (edelweiss) on left sleeve a standard for Polizei GJ? It seems odd. Both WH and SS-GJ units wore the insignia on the right shoulder...

I saw another photo from the same series, showing the same group standing under a large sign with SS runes!

Mark

[chrischa]

Hello Mark.

The polizei eagle is where the edelweiss patch should normally be placed. I'll have a look to see if the photos I have show the patch positioned in the same way.

Regarding the SS runes, the police regiments were titled SS Polizei Regiment 18 for instance.
As I'm sure you know, Himmler controlled the police as well as the A-SS and the W-SS. So, the police came under the SS umbrella.

I missed buying a photo of polizei troops having a beer under a huge SS flag. To me it was a great example illustrating how police were part of the SS.


Regards,
Chris.

[Tor]

Some photos from Pol.Geb.Rgt.18

Here is an album that can show some details regarding uniforms etc.

http://www.krigsbilder.net/coppermin...s.php?album=13

[Jean-Loup]

Would they have worn an Edelweiss on their caps? It seems something is vaguely visible on the side of several of them.

[Gran Sasso]

The polizei eagle is where the edelweiss patch should normally be placed.

No, it would have been on the other (right) sleeve.
Of note, the police Edelweiss is diff. from the army one.

[GAMS1]

The Edelweiss has to be placed exactly there in the Polizei, totally normal .
Typical Polizei mountain soldiers .Which unit is it ? Hard to say ...
That kind of field units will wear a Heer type metal Edelweiss on the side
of the Bergmütze .
Nick

[Tom B]

The Edelweiss has to be placed exactly there in the Polizei, totally normal .
Typical Polizei mountain soldiers .Which unit is it ? Hard to say ...
That kind of field units will wear a Heer type metal Edelweiss on the side
of the Bergmütze .
Nick

Yes, I agree with this

[Jean-Loup]

I read somewhere that only Polizei Regiment 18 were allowed to wear the Edelweiss.
Today however I found a cap to a soldier of Polizei Regiment 19 that also has an Edelweiss. I have posted photos of it and the full story if its finding here: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=748665