Streifendienst armband, but for whom?

[SMV]

Hello,

This armband is on the way and I was wondering if anyone else is familiar
with these things. I am pretty sure it is not HJ, RAD or SS. Did the SA or
NSDAP have a "Streifendienst?"

I thought it might be for SA members aiding the Polizei with crowd control
or protection of Party members during parades or speaches. Who policed
the SA after the FJK became the Autobahn Police? Sorry about the poor
photo, it's all I have right now.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Marcus

[mkbkbkrk]

I believe it is a security armband. Here is an Ausweis I have in my collection.

[sjl]

The answer is likely in the rubber stamp on the armband.

[SMV]

Hello mkbkbkrk,

That is a very interesting ausweis you have, thank you very much for posting it here.
I have seen many types of ausweis over the years, but a "Ausweis des Streifendienstes
Fuer Politische Leiter" is a first for me. It pretty much answered my question. The armband and ausweis obviously gave him some kind of authority, but how much and
exactly in what capacity; I'll do some further research and post any findings here.
Interesting too is the "SA der NSDAP" stamp over his Wehrmacht photo.
Looks to be an Alter Kampfer with Party #79,525 , I bet he's seen his share of street
battles. Does the ID say anything about issuing a pistol or anything on the reverse side?
Thanks again for sharing, I really appreaciate it.

Stephen,

I am hoping for that possiblity.

Regards,

Marcus

[mkbkbkrk]

Hi Marcus,

The back of the Ausweis is blank. I would appreciate any info you can find.

Regards,

Mark

[DocumentsGuy]

Interesting too is that the Ausweis does not bear a date of issue nor the signature/title of the issuing official.

[SMV]

Hello Mark,

I have searched for several days and I was not able to find any information on the Politische Streifendienstes. I did how ever find this in the Osprey book; GERMAN SECURITY AND POLICE SOLDIER 1939-45, and the book states, in 1943 a Armed Forces Patrol Service, Wehrmachtstreifendienst, was formed from all branches of the Wehrmacht. No insignia was introduced, a duty lanyard and a special Streifendienst ID card was carried. They were armed with machine pistols and had considerable authority. In the last months of the war stories were rife of Streifendienst patrols hanging soldiers from lamp posts for desertion if they were unable to provide poper papers or movement orders.

Now, I do not believe that the above ID is Wehrmachtstreifendienst, but I do think it might show the type of duties performed by Politisches Streifendienst. Late in the war, many groups were hunting for deserters, such as HJ Streifendienst, Feldgendarmerie, Feldjaegerkorps, Geheime Feld Polizei, SIPO and to an extent Orpo. It makes sense that the hardcore NSDAP members would also have an internal security service.

I don't know how historicaly correct the movie "Downfall" is, but there are several scenes showing roving SA and NSDAP bands, shooting and hanging deserters in Berlin, in late April 1945.
The large man in Tyrolian garb carrying a hangmans noose and searching for deserters along with SA men in kepi's and greatcoats still stands out in my mind.

Bruce,

I do agree that it is strange that the Ausweis has no date or official signature. I believe that is because it was made late in the war when official rules and proceedures were disregarded. Just look how hastily and sloppy the ID is made, thin paper, poor printing, etc.

Perhaps when the armband arrives there will be more answers. I will continue to try and find more info. and post anything I find.

Regards,

Marcus

[mkbkbkrk]

Bruce, Marcus,

Thanks for your help on this mystery. I have been trying to find out more on this item for over a year now. I also suspect it is a late war id. The paper is very thin and of poor quality.

Also thanks for the mention on the osprey book. I will have to pick up a copy.

However, If this is a late war id, the SA stamp puzzles me. Would not the SS / Gestapo taken over most of the security details for political leaders by then?