Fire fighters on parade or what?

[NickG]

I am borrowing this image from fellow waf member redfaced, who posted this in the photo section and nobody was able to provide a conclusive answer regarding these uniforms... Some even thinking incorrectly that its a WW1 image which it is obviously not!
Are these perhaps fire fighters? Prussian blue uniforms, civilian helmets with perhaps unaltered pre-war Austrian collar insignia?
Some ww1 vets, I see tank skull badges, others with WW2 service, wearing what appears to be infantry assault badges and iron crosses, wound badges.... These are combat vets!
Thoughts on this intriguing image? It would't be post war right?
Thanks
Nick

[W.Unland]

Hello,

It's a little hard to tell, but the collar tabs look like Austrian police, pre-1936.

Regards,
Bill Unland

[NickG]

Police

Yes could be Polizei or feuerwehr with austrian rank pips but not prewar... the helmets are distinctive german TR civilian and some of the insignia appears to be war time German...(Infantry Assault Badge) so post-anschluss for sure as far as I can tell... not pre 1936

[NickG]

another close up

another close up of an infantry assault badge in wear

[W.Unland]

Yes, you're right there. I didn't notice those badges! I am clueless I'm afraid. The Austrian insignia were discontinued after 1936 so I have no idea.

Regards,
Bill Unland

[Billy G]

Cool picture. I initially thought they were Feuerwehr too but wouldn't the helmets have the neck protectors in the back? I also notice several of the guys in the front look like they have duty belts on & a couple in the middle have what looks like Feuerwehr dress belts.

[JoeW]

For some reason, the collar insignia brings to mind one of the German satellite allies. Slovakia?

[NickG]

Bielsko-Biała

According to the original thread (in the photo section) this is in Bielsko-Biała, which is in Silesian, Poland...
According to Wikipedia the city Bielsko was annexed by Germany during World War II...
Here's the original thread from the photo section!
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=261156

[JoeW]

So they are probably Volkdeutsche in original Polish uniforms after the annexation?