Dutch Landwacht impression

[NickG]

These Dutch auxiliary police troops under SS control were responsible for shutting down black market activities,
going after the resistance and generally supporting the German forces in occupied Holland.
Later Landwacht was replaced by Landstorm Nederland, a true WSS unit.

[NickG]

The helmet is technically NSB weer-afdeeling...
(armed NSB). The tunic is a 1939 stamped "CM" marked Dutch model
with 7 buttons converted to German style with wide (SS) collar
and even has belt support holes.

[NickG]

Some period images. Note the lack of SS sleeve eagles, variety of buckles used,
often Heer (army) buckles, officers pattern etc...
Usully field gray tunics combined with black pants (1943) and full field gray later.

Note varying tunics, Dutch 7 buttons, 5 buttons, various types of head gear, cuff titles
worn by some...Their look was not vary uniform, but it was a second rate unit...

[NickG]

Fixing orientation first set!

[NickG]

Some more shots! The unit was raised in 1943 but many were absorbed into Landstorm Nederland
which took over the duties of the Landwacht and became a full blown SS unit with proper SS uniforms
to include sleeve eagles, again not worn by the Landwacht. they did use SS rank and headgear,
but on their visors replacing the totenkopf with the Police flaming grenade insignia as worn on the collar tab.
The modern day Dutch police sithh uses this insignis btw.

[NickG]

Another shot of my "Landwacht trooper" with better photo orientation!!
Hope you enjoyed my presentation!

[NickG]

Landwacht officer, also in a converted Dutch tunic...
and a funeral...Note lack of SS sleeve eagles...All wearing converted Dutch tunics!

Note Landwacht man with cap sporting a LW eagle and on the side a W-SS sleeve eagle!
Again an odd tunic, this one with sew-in shoulderstraps!

[NickG]

First image Photo credit Dineke.Swart
Landwacht portraits (Soldbuch photos)

[NickG]

Commander Zondervan and troops doing equipment maintenance.
Note all lacking SS sleeve eagles, so pre "Landstrom Nederland".
Period newspaper image the funeral of a Dutch NSB leader murdered by the resistance.
Armed NSB-WA excorting (wearing helmet with Wolfhook on both sides)
and Landwacht polebearers with helmets with lion on 1 side and exploding bomb on the other.

[NickG]

The Landwacht had several patterns on cuff titles...hand embroidered ones
and stenciled ones. Some done on Dutch bands with the borders also printed on,
as seen on my example and some on blank German bands with German RZM borders and again the LANDWACHT name printed on.
(photo credit embroidered CT: Militariapaza.nl)

The added "V.C.D." = Voedsel Controle Dienst or in English
Food Inspection Service. Basically men going after of Black market activity!

[NickG]

Here we see LANDWACHT men of the Food inspection service (V.C.D.)
with confiscated Black market contraband!
(photo credit as tagged)

[NickG]

Last set!
Here 2 Landwacht members at war's end being arrested by the Dutch resistance.
The wounded prisoner took his tunic off, revealing a black NSB shirt.
Note also black trousers worn by both men, tunic lacking SS sleeve eagle and 7 buttons, a Dutch trait...
pretty much matching my tunic, but again they wore all kinds of field gray tunics!

[ton g]

Nicely done Nick
Indeed the Landwacht was a bunch of men with all kinds of uniformparts and indignias.

Grss

[IanC]

Fascinating thread Nick, thank you for taking the time to post it.

[kapitein]

Great research and presentation