Police Bergführer

[JoeW]

Yes indeed.

Bill, by March 1938 there were 170 Austrian Alpinist recipients according to the Steiner article in "Militaria".

Stan, I forgot that you have the list too.

[W.Unland]

That's interesting. A significantly lower number post war it seems. I assume post war duties were different. The alpinsist badge doesn't exist any more, to my knowledge, although the burgfuhrer web page indicates "polizei Burgfuhrer u. Alpinist" association.

The guy I know had to be a qualified alpinist with the local mountaineering association before he could even attempt police qualification. Of course he had been climbing since a little kid and had all the appropriate credentials. In fact he holds the record for number of climbs on the Watzmann near Berchtesgaden. I have no clue what the war time qualifications were to receive these badges. I'm sure you know

Bill U

[JoeW]

That's interesting. A significantly lower number post war it seems. I assume post war duties were different. The alpinsist badge doesn't exist any more, to my knowledge, although the burgfuhrer web page indicates "polizei Burgfuhrer u. Alpinist" association.

The guy I know had to be a qualified alpinist with the local mountaineering association before he could even attempt police qualification. Of course he had been climbing since a little kid and had all the appropriate credentials. In fact he holds the record for number of climbs on the Watzmann near Berchtesgaden. I have no clue what the war time qualifications were to receive these badges. I'm sure you know

Bill U

Here is what your friend wore or still wears Bill. I have some material on its adoption in post war period.

[wessel]

I hope Wim wont mind if I post some images from an interesting article he wrote for 'Militaria', Vol. 1, No. 5, Sept-Oct 2000.
These awards were instigated on 26th July, 1938, the one being the subject of this thread is the 'Gendarmerie Alpinist', and the other being the 'Gendarmerie Hochalpinist', or high-mountain alpinist.
I'm sure 'Militaria' would have back issues so worth asking (Klaus D. Patzwall).

[wessel]

Apologies for poor quality!

[wessel]

The last photo is of the Police ski-guide badge, but a nice photo worth posting!

[JoeW]

I hope Wim wont mind if I post some images from an interesting article he wrote for 'Militaria', Vol. 1, No. 5, Sept-Oct 2000.
These awards were instigated on 26th July, 1938, the one being the subject of this thread is the 'Gendarmerie Alpinist', and the other being the 'Gendarmerie Hochalpinist', or high-mountain alpinist.
I'm sure 'Militaria' would have back issues so worth asking (Klaus D. Patzwall).

Ah, that article. It has some contentious information Wessel. And the awards were not instigated on 26.7.38. The awards were Austrian and instituted several years earlier. The decree of 26.7.38 is unpublished and to date there is no record of its content. It is assumed that the decree authorizes the continued wear of the Austrian badges with the addition of the police emblem over the Austrian national emblem. Perhaps some day someone will find a copy of the decree in some archive.

[wilhelm Saris]

It has some contentious information. Perhaps some day someone will find a copy of the decree in some archive.

When doing research for the mentioned "MILITARIA"-article, fifteen or more years ago, I did contact and consult practically all of the known police-experts/collectors and some renowned police institutions in Germany. None of them were able to answer my questions in those days or supply me with the looked for orders, which I needed to upgrade the article.
Until now I have never seen better answers in published books about the German police. So contentious, yes it is possible? Maybe indeed someone will come with additional answers and an article and find the "unpublished order". So guys, there is work to do!