Identification help please

[Graeme R]

Hi, I got this photo in amongst a group of others last month.

I have been unable to identify who they are. I am assuming that it's Eastern Front/Balkans and that they could be Rumanian, Hungarian or Bulgarian - perhaps even German Allied Yugoslavs.

Any help anyone can give would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Graeme

[Graeme R]

I also wondered why the chap on the far right would be wearing a skull and bones on his hat. Any ideas?

Thanks guys.

Graeme

[Robert Noss]

Hello Graeme,

these are members of the FAD - Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst ( Volonteer Labour-Service). That was the predecessor of the RAD.
The cap insignia is no skull and crossed bones, it is the same cap insignia that was used by the RAD later.
The regulations for uniforms in the FAD was not as strict and well-organised as it was later in the RAD. There was more a mixture of what was available as these men were volonteers and had to pay for their uniforms themselves.

Here are two other photos of the FAD:





Kind regards
Robert

[Graeme R]

Robert,

Thanks very much for that. It clears it up perfectly for me.

Graeme