Walter Heck and the SS-Zivilabzeichen

[Wim Vangossum]

Hi,

To everyone who’s interested in the SS-zivilabzeichen. I’ve found this information in the book “Die Rückseite des Hakenkreuz” a little fact book with every kind of corresponding between High Level Leaders of the Reich.

28-7-1944 Himmler to SS-Obersturmführer Walter Heck

“From a letter of Gau leader Grohe I’m just become to know that you a long time ago designed the Civil Award of the SS. Therefore I speak, in the name of the entire SchutzStaffel, who is wearing this badge with proud, my thank to you.

After the ending of the war I’m intended, as a sign of my thank, to give you a house with garden in an area that you prefer. There is one condition that I ask from you: You have to be married before that time and have a familie with at least 2 children…”


So it seems that Walter Heck (who worked for Höffstater) not only designed the double sieg runes but also the SS-zivilabzeichen itself.

Note: this is a rude translation of me from a German book translated into Dutch.
Gau Leiter Grohe was the Gau Leader of Köln.

Regards, Theo

[RaymondG]

Hi Theo

Thanks for sharing this with us. Very interesting information.

Walter Heck designed the sig runes and worked for the Hoffstätter firm and his SS rank was purely honorary.

I did not know he had been conditionally offered a house (with strings), and know that after much debate about what they should pay him for the design, they finally awarded him something like 2.50RM for the design.

I think the original offer that was mooted was something ridiculous like 250,000RM (I will have to check my notes) but deemed that it was not in the spirit of the SS to award such a figure.

I have been conducting research on the SS-Zivilabzeichen and have done a little work on Heck, but not as much as I should have by now Your thread is a prod for me to get moving with it.

From a marketing perspective, it has to be one of the most recognisable logos in modern history.

Thanks again Theo. A really interesting and informative thread.

Raymond

[Wim Vangossum]

Hi Raymond,

I have this book for years now. Its intention is to point out the stupidy of the correspondense between the high leaders. It's a simply but enteresting concept, No more then translations about all kinds of there mail. Like a request to send Hierl's Golden Rad Hauer back to him after he has mistakely taked a common silvered one home from the Reichstag. I wished their were more books like that. For us it's a gateway to valuable background information.

Regards, Theo

[RaymondG]

Hi Theo

Fascinating stuff

If there are any other really good ones in the book, I, and other members would be entertained to hear about them.

Best wishes

Raymond