Ordensburg/Ordensjunker tunic issued to the RMBO

[Kurt]

When the Halcomb and Angolia books on the RMBO where published, nothing was really known about the early tunics of those officers who moved into the administration of the occupied Eastern territories. We now know that they were equipped with Ordensburg/Ordensjunker tunics. Through the internet, more period pics of this very small organization have become available and to this day, I didn’t think I’d ever see one in person.

Last Thursday, I was lucky to add this piece to my collection. This one has actually seen some action and despite the fact that it is probably the least flamboyant of all uniforms of this branch, I am really excited about this find. For me it’s sort of the missing link.

Member stonemint once stated in a different thread that the buttons were gilt… I was kind of surprised about this statement as NONE of the real RMBO tunics that I have seen really had gilt buttons (as they should according to the regulations). Well guess what, all buttons on this one are gilt buttons (the finish has just worn off on most of them except for the ones on the top pockets).

Period pics also don’t show these tunics form behind, check out the buttons there.

Enjoy the pics… Kurt

PS: More period pics of this type of tunic you can find here: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...highlight=rmbo

[Kurt]

Silver piping and gilt buttons...

[Kurt]

The color on the other buttons has just worn off...

[Kurt]

Most interesting, the rear...

[Kurt]

.

[Kurt]

Slanted pockets....

[Kurt]

-

[Kurt]

There were never any shoulder boards or tabs on this tunic...

[Kurt]

;

[wilhelm Saris]

The use of Ordensburg-uniforms was arranged with a letter Nr. H. Abt. 1 Hs./N from September 2, 1941 by the Reichsminister für die besetzten Ostgebiete in a letter to the Reichskommissar Ostland. These uniforms were used as it was literally said: they are in stock. In German:
Die zuerst in die besetzten Gebiete abgeordneten Gefolgschaftsmitglieder sind nur deswegen mit Ordensburgunifomen ausgestattet worden, weil diese Uniformen fertig zur Verfügung stehen. Aus diesem Grunde wird auch noch eine grössere Anzahl der Gefolgschaftsmitglieder, die künftig in die besetzten Gebiete abgeordnet werden, mit diesen Uniformen ausgestattet werden. Uniformen, die neu angefertigt werden, dürfen nor noch nach dem Schnitt der Beamtenuniform angefertigt werden.
Briefly this was also stated in a letter from October 1941 ( zu Rk. 14915 R).

[Kurt]

Thanks a lot Mr. Saris for adding this info. I had not seen this regulation yet.

So technically, one could say that this is the first type RMBO uniform (as often seen in period pics). It seems as if this piece was worn for a pretty long time so I wonder if those first officials kept wearing them or if there was a wear out date. Did you find any info on that?

Kurt

[wilhelm Saris]

About that I have not found information, as far as I remember. Will have a look in my RMBO material again. It would not be rare some persons continued wearing the old, especially when he was a low ranked individual.

And yes, the Ordensburg-stuff was the first official RMBO uniform until the new color and material were available.

[SMV]

Lovely uniform!

[wilhelm Saris]

Kurt,

in the earlier mentioned letter from September 1941 it was said that male personnel for the occupied territories had to wear a dark-brown uniform in cut of the uniform for officials. Officially they were not allowed to wear the political leaders uniform. Suchlike was repeated in the letter from October 1941. Before things were finally arranged such new uniform had to be show to Hitler.

In 1942 the uniform-regulation (Dienstkleidungsvorschrift für den Geschäftsbereich des Reichsministeriums für die besetzten Ostgebiete) was published. Date for the regulation was March 25, 1942. The uniform then was also published in for example "Uniformen-Markt" (nr.15 from August 1, 1942) and "Schwert und Spaten" (nr. 8 from August 1942). The uniform was designed by Egon Jantke. It was said: in first instance the Ordensburg-uniform was worn (the uniforms came from Krössinsee - die ersten Einkleidungen). Nothing further was said if this old uniform still was allowed to be worn.

With an order from November 5, 1942 it was said: with an immediate entry the uniform was to be changed. A new adapted regulation was expected in 1943.
May 18, 1943 an order mentioned shortage of materials (Spinnstofflage). A uniform for all was not possible. From then on civil was allowed. We see then the uniform for the Zentralhandeslgesellschaft was from summer 1942. It is quite remarkable that the uniform for the Arbeitseinsatzverwaltung was introduced so late (made public in late 1943). Many plans were not carried through for the duration of the war. It is said as: die bisherigen Uniformen mit den neuen Abzeichen weitergetragen.

For me it is Obvious the one or the other may have worn his Ordensburg-uniform until the Reichskommisariate did not exist anymore.

[Kurt]

Very educational Mr. Saris and you just answered a lot of questions that I actually had not answered for myself (but only guessed about).

Interesting that it was clearly stated that RMBO officer's were not allowed to wear the political leaders uniform. Looking at period pics, you often see a pretty wild mix of these.

Kurt