RAD something?

[Krullies]

Hello everyone,

I've been beating books about this particular items. Obviously I've been going through the wrong books, because I've come up with zip so far as to what this badge or medal is

The swastika with the cereal grasses looks like the logo of the Reichsarbeitsdienst, but I've seen this logo with a shovel instead of a swastika. Perhaps it was changed sooner or later, or it is something else entirely?

In addition to where it stems from; does anyone know what it stands for? The hinge/pin at the back does not feel solid enough for battle wear I guess, but perhaps this is a flakey fake sporting a whimsical pin?

Please find the badge/medal in question below:

The front:


The back:


The back with its pin opened:


The hinge with the pin opened from another angle:


A close up of the cereal grasses with the swastika:


And a close up of the marking, "AN.G" I believe it says:



Any information you guys may be willing to spare is very much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[Mil-Archive]

Looks like a womans RAD broach, there is one on here that went for $42 :

http://militaryspecialtiesinc.com/we...BroochSilv.htm

[Krullies]

Thanks!

Looks like a womans RAD broach, there is one on here that went for $42 :

http://militaryspecialtiesinc.com/we...BroochSilv.htm

Thanks Gerard That was a great lead I found out a bit more about it. It is a broche for the Reichsarbeitdienst der weiblichen Jugend (or RAD/wJ in shorthand) which means something like Reich Labour Service.

The RAD was a Wehrmachtgefolge (Armed Forces Auxiliaries). They were not part of the Heer/Wehrmacht but provided support, for instance supplying front troops with ammunition and food, repairing damaged uniforms, vehicles, goods, even roads and airstrips. Some RAD groups were militarised.

Does anyone know under which circumstances these broches were distributed to RAD members? And is this particular broche a bronze or a silver one? Sometimes it is difficult to tell; some medals are zink with a tiny layer of silver. Maybe that is the case here as well?

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate

[RonR]

Karin-Renate

According to J.R Angolia in his book "Labor Organizations of the Reich".

This is the Commemorative Brooch awarded to all girls who retired from active RADwJ service.

It was Bronze, Silver or Gold--probably reflecting the rank of the wearer.

Best regards,

[Krullies]

Hi Ron,

...According to J.R Angolia in his book "Labor Organizations of the Reich", This is the Commemorative Brooch awarded to all girls who retired from active RADwJ service. It was Bronze, Silver or Gold--probably reflecting the rank of the wearer...

Okay, thanks! That book seems like an interesting read, I'll put it on my wanted list There are some copies available at www.alibris.co.uk, they are quite expensive though. However, I like to go hunting at used books markets in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague and Breda, maybe it will pop up somewhere. Thanks again for the info Ron!

Earlier today at work while browsing illegally I found that the gold badge was issued to leaders of RAD groups, and that RAD groups had very little ranks. I don't know what ranks (if any) the bronze and silver badge was issued to. I'll put it here as soon as I find out

Very best regards,
Karin-Renate