In August 1945, the four allied powers: America, Britain, France and Russia, divided Germany into four military occupation zones. America took control of the Southern area (comprising what are today the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Bremen & Hessen). Britain took the North West (comprising Schleswig Holstein, Hamburg, Nordrhein Westfalen and Niedersachsen), France the South West (comprising Rheinland Pfalz and Saarland) and Russia the East (comprising what is today Brandenburg, Thuringen, Sachsen, Sachsen / Anhalt & Mecklenburg Vorpommern). The Capitol of Berlin was also divided into four quadrants.

The German Democratic Republic was created in 1949 following the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). East Germany existed as a separate entity until 1990 when the two countries re-united.

Unlike West Germany, which had de-centralized individual state police agencies, East Germany maintained a centralized structure similar to the one in place during the III Reich. The Volkspolizei was a subordinate of the MdI (Ministry of the Interior). The Volkspolizei itself comprised several sub-commands, including: General Police, Traffic Police, Railway Police (Originally part of the Ministry for State Security), Criminal Police, Water Police, and Aviation Police, Border Police, Riot Police & Fire.

While localized policing was instituted by the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (SVAG) beginning in 1945, the actual term “Volkspolizei” did not come into existence until 1946. Most of the original members were former Wehrmacht officers. Unfortunately, they lasted only till 1949 when the SVAG purged the VoPo of all politically undesirable individuals which include the former Wehrmacht personnel. With the creation of the GDR, the Volkspolizei came into a “true” existence as the official police force of German Democratic Republic.

The original VoPo was actually quite large, amounting to over 45,000 members. They were in fact the original state security force, at least until 1956 when the Volksarmee was instituted. Ironically, while the former Wehrmacht officers were deemed politically undesirable for the Volkspolizei, they were well received in the NVA. Former Wehrmacht officers comprised nearly 2/3 of the top command staff of the early NVA.

In 1952 the position of Abschnittsbevollmächtigter was established. In addition to other duties, the ABV was basically the link to the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (Stasi).

At the end, the VoPo personnel numbered in the 80,000 range, with a civilian auxiliary numbering around double that amount.

Original rank & insignia was modeled closely after III Reich insignia. But these also underwent changes as time progressed. Between 1946 and 1990, there was as much variety in insignia, rank, etc.. as there was in all of the states comprising West Germany. This included utilization of the old “Waffenfarbe” system to distinguish between subordinate units. As time allows, I will attempt to outline these as clearly as possible.

Exactly what was used immediately after the war is unknown to this writer. My guess is that local police may have used what was available to them. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can help out in this particular area. The first record of officially recognized insignia of Volkspolizei insignia I have seen is dated 1949.

I will preface this entry with the understanding that my understanding of the Volkspolizei is not as good as that of my understanding of West Germany. There are many others who are much more well versed, and I hope that they will add their input to this section. That being said, as time permits, I will try to add outlines of the various components and insignia I have.

Happy collecting,

Andrew

Andrew, Thank you very much for the above Introduction. It will serve as an excellent way to start this thread off in the right direction!

Removable Polizei Anwärter shoulder boards with green cords. These boards are the same style as wartime Probationary Policeman shoulder boards, except for the later manufacturing techniques. The E German boards are entirely different in the form of the button hole and the thin synthetic fabric attaching straps. Notice the boards have one more strip of cording in the center that is not present on the wartime German Anwärter shoulder boards. This is a typical feature of later E German shoulder boards.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

East German silver sports badge for the DDR. This is a pin back award.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Back of tunic showing two panel cut with no slit in the tail. The trousers for this uniform are green with green piping as on the collar and cuffs. East German Police uniforms are typically marked to the Ministry of the Interior (MdI) and dated with letter codes. This tunic is stamped with a Y date code, indicating manufacture in 1988.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

East German Police qualification bar for Class III Policemen. This is a screwback award.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

This is a five button uniform, cut in the military Mode, that will button up to the throat. It can also be worn as an open collar tunic with a grey shirt and a green tie. Barracks Police could wear some military insignia but this uniform has an East German Sport badge in silver and a police classification badge (III) over the right breast pocket.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Machine sewn Polizei collar tabs with aluminum Litzen woven into the green backing. The collar tabs also have green twisted cord piping, unlike wartime Schupo collar tabs. The collar is of the same material and color as the tunic and it is piped in green.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Machine sewn TRAPO Officer collar tabs with blue backing. The bars are stamped metal with blue cord inner Litzen. Early police Officer collar tabs may be found that are embroidered and/or are single bars instead of double bars. These later metal collar tabs are standardized for ease of manufacture.

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Since I also collect postwar Polizei stuff, I will post another East German uniform for the Transportation Police (TRAPO). This tunic is Ministery of the Interior (MdI) marked, dated 1987 and is cut in a standardized manner as befits manufactured goods from a socialist worker's paradise. Blue wool/polyester in the same cut as other E German police uniforms, with the same buttons and insignia. The piping is light blue on the collar, cuffs, trousers, and cap.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

TRAPO Officer peaked cap in blue with light blue piping. The visor is molded plastic and the larger Officer wreath is stamped metal. The Officer cap cords are the same as wartime but often have plastic parts and some will "glow" under black light. The cap is constructed entirely of postwar materials with a plastic sweat shield.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

TRAPO Leutnant removable shoulder boards with blue underlay and bright aluminum tops. Notice the standard rimed aluminum buttons that are used on almost all E German uniforms. The buttons are attached with cords through two holes in the shoulder. The pips are the same as were utilized during the war but are much lighter stampings.

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

East German Wasserschutzpolizei Bootsführer tunic. This double breasted tunic is the same style as that issued to the DDR Navy and Coast Guard except that it is MdI marked and dated 1990 (the last year of manufacture for DDR uniforms). It has ten gilt fouled anchor buttons on the front and green piping on the collar.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Machine sewn Volkspolizei NCO collar tabs with stamped metal litzen with green centers and backing. These standard VOPO NCO tabs are worn reversed (according to regulations) in order to better follow the shape of the double breasted lapels.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Hi Jiri,

Very nice DDR General Officer collar tabs. It is interesting that all DDR General Officer ranks had the same style of collar tab and the specific rank was only designated on the shoulder boards with pips. Regular Volkspolizei Generals utilized the identical collar tab with green backing, Transportpolizei Generals with blue backing, etc.

Here is an intersting mixture of colors for the Helicopter Police (Hubschraubereinheit). The DDR police who were assigned to flying duty were in the Transportpolizei (TRAPO) and wore regular TRAPO kornblumenblau Biesen- und Effektenfarbe police shoulder boards but with lighter color military hellblauer collar tabs for NCO ranks. Officers wore both shoulder boards and collar tabs of hellblauer Kragenspiegel. I don't know the logic behind this difference in NCO and Officer insignia colors, but it is called for in the 29 November 1983 uniform regulations as last revised in 1988.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

General

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Volkspolizei Meister der VP shoulder boards with green underlay and center cords with two aluminum pips. Notice the fouled anchor buttons that are similar to those from WWII but are stamped with dished backs. The stamped white metal pips are similar to the WWII style but the prongs are entirely different.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

This is a very hard to find set of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICE: (UNWELTSCHUTZ UND WASSERWIRTSCHAFT). The boards are piped in diffrent farbs for diffrent jobs.

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Lbsr,

Very nice general's tabs. They are the first I've seen that are made with bullion.

George,

Super nice Hubschraubereinheit tunic, do you have a visor for it? I've seen a few over the past couple of years but they aren't so easy to get, at least with out paying out of the nose.

Here are is my pair of VolksPolizei generals tabs. Not as nice as your Lbsr. They are made with the metal oak leaves.

pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

side

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Very nice Meister with 15 years service! It is 1st time I see "Bootsführer" Ärmelband.

Here are shoulderboards for General of Volkspolizei-Luft/Verwaltung Aeroklub (1952-56).
These are for "Uniformjacke" - shoulderboards for Wintermantel were 1cm longer

Machine sewn Bootsführer sleeveband and 15 year service stripes on the left sleeve. The Bootsführer sleeveband was only worn by the police on the uniform of the boot commander. Interestingly, MdI regulations also allowed wear of this sleeveband on Feuerwehr uniforms for fire boat commanders.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

I also have been working on putting together a complete DDR forestry uniform set. Here is the winter hat for the set. Also I've posted a Forestry Generals hat insignia. As anybody seen any forestry boards around?

pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

2

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Well the rest of my DDR forestry uniform came in today. The Jack-shirt is a light yellowish/green. It has plastic buttons, nothing to fancy. It also has buttons on the outer sleeve that allows the person to role up his/her sleeves and attach a piece of fabric from the inside of the sleeve, which of course holds up the sleeve. The shoulder boards I put on and I think they are West German forestry, not sure.

The pants are a dark green and are made of the same material and color has the top of the fur hat.

pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Pat,

Very nice DDR uniform goodies! I don't have the Hubschraubereinheit visor cap. There are a couple of interesting things about that cap though. First, is that it has the winged wreath and the propeller insignia of the air force instead of the police. Second, is that even though it is not called for in regulations, they sometimes wore a white top visor (as well as the blue top) since they worked with the traffic police. I have photos of them wearing the white top visor but I have not found it called for in the Vorschriften.

Your Unweltschutz u. Wasserwirtschaft insignia is scarce stuff. I have never seen a complete uniform. Do you have a uniform or peaked cap for these guys? Likewise the Forestry uniform is a tough one to get. DDR Forestry stuff is expensive as well for some reason. More so that West German Forestry items.

Your Hafenpolizei tunic is great. I love DDR tunics with sleevebands. Your Wasserschutzpolizei tunic is early but it was made in the 2nd quarter of 1979 according to the markings. The 2/F is the code for the second quarter of the year and F is the date. The 1947 is a not a date but is a style or cut number I believe. Excellent photos!

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Here is a 1990 dated WSP tunic with a Hafenpolizei cuff-title. I just need to get a tie for now.

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

DDR Uniform Codes:

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

2

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

U.u W. visor....If you look at the visor insignia you will see what looks like oak leaves by the DDR crest, not sure why they are there.

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Dave,

I think George, LBSR and I must be the only ones in the GD police community that collects DDR stuff, its fun and most of the time cheap. The buckle is silver which is correct for the DDR WSP.

George,

I wish I had a complete set of the U.u W. but it has got to be one of the most difficult uniforms to come by. I have a picture a guy sent me I'll post. I have a complete enlisted forestry uniform in transit minus boards. I need to find a set.

Thanks for the correction on the WSP tunic. I hadn't noticed the F/ prior to yesterday when I took the picture, afterwards I tried to find some info on it but failed. I thought you would probably know.

Here is a chart with the U.u W. farbs.

Pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Pat,

Your U.u.W. visor is a scarce piece of headgear, as is all of this really obscure agency's stuff. I have not seen the two different wreath devices before. I wonder if it has to do with rank?

Your 1979 dated WSP tunic is the old style tunic without piping around the collar. My Hubschraubereinheit tunic is also 1979 (F) dated and does not have the blue piping around the collar either. The TRAPO officer uniform I posted earlier is a later tunic that does have the blue piping on the collar and cuffs.

Post your Forestry unifom when you get it in. I would love to see it. I have a listing of the date codes somewhere. I will find it and post it for you to copy and anyone else to reference.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

3

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

This is a 1947 dated WSP tunic. It has the pillow-case style inner sleaves and no piping.

The date is inside the pocket unlike the previous tunic which was just on the inner liner.

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

3

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Pat,

This is a very nice Forestry uniform and very difficult to find IMHO. I believe the East and West Germans both used the same style of shoulder boards for Forestry. The only difference I know of for DDR Forestry boards is the rimed button as on the front of your shirt and that the DDR backing material and tab of the board is made of rather cheezy felt or rayon instead of velvet or velveteen. Very nice!

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

George,

The visor belongs to another collector who sent me the pic upon my request. He says he also has a female uniform.

I will post the forestry uniform when it arrives.

I still have to add the Polizei aviation tunic to my collection. I have the proper visor just need the tunic.

pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

This uniform belonged to Herr Heinz Streichau, who had been the Forest Master for Hermann Göring at Karenhall during the war. He stayed on the estate after it reverted to the DDR and was used exclusively by Erich Hoenecker. Bernd is related by marriage to Streichau (now deceased) and has a few other NS Zeit items from the Karenhall Estate including a 3 point stag mounting that was shot by Göring in 1938. The uniform was a private purchase and has "VEB Kleiderwerk-Altentreptow-Qualitäts-Kleidung" tags in the interior breast pocket.

Now a view of the private purchase Schrimmütze that came with the uniform.

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

View of the interior of the private purchase Schrimmütze. These early privately tailored DDR uniforms and caps are seldom seen.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Notice that there are no collar tabs (per regulation for this particular style tunic) and that the rank acorns are turned opposite the direction of NS Zeit and West German Forestry acorns; and they sit on the far edge of the board.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

George,

Thats a hick of a nice Forestry set, what year do you put on the visor. Its so well made compared to the later stuff. I've picked up a few more items I'll post. Did you get to look at the back of the boards?

Does the owner have any photo's of the orig owner wearing the outfit.

pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

Close up view of the wreath and Wappen.

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Pat,

I think the uniform is probably from the 1950s. I would expect a very early uniform cap to have an embroidered tri color cockade in the cap wreath, so I suspect that the cap may be from the 1960s since it has the metal Wappen with the DDR emblem. The underlayment on the shoulder boards is dark green velvet. Just like the NS Zeit and West German board backing. Again, a higher quality private purchase pair of boards. I don't know if he has any photos of the uniform in wear or not.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Pat,

Bernd Ostermann gave me a photo of his DDR Forestry uniform to post. This is the early Fliegerbluse style tunic that carried over from the 1938 Forestry regulations promulgated by Göring as Chief Förstmeister. This particular tunic belonged to a retired forester who managed Göring's old estate (which reverted to the DDR after 1945) and was used by Erich Honecker until the fall of East Germany. A uniform with complete provinance.

George

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

Notice that this cap has the early embroidered aluminum wreath that completely surrounds the DDR Wappen. The green cap has a dark green band and dark green piping.

"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

By the way I don't own a female torso I had but the tunic just didn't seem to fit my male torso that well, so I had to stuff it with tissue. hahaha

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

George,

Just a super set-up, I sure wouldn't mind adding it to my collection.

I'm posting my new Female WasserWirtchaft tunic. The farb on the boards is red which meant she was assigned to Water supply and waste water treatment.

Pat

"I only had two beers officer, I swear."

"In GOD we trust, everyone else keep your hands were we can see them"

View of the rain pattern camo field gear utilized by the police. The pack and shelter half are also MdI marked. The blanket straps are grey rubberized material but they also came in grey webbing like the belt and assault harness.

View of the rain pattern pack and assault harness.

I thought I would add a grey piped Strafvollzug uniform to this thread. The Strafvollzug were the prison police who were correctional officers in the DDR. This is a standard NCO tunic in blue with grey piping and collar tab and shoulder board underlay.

Closeup view of the grey backed insignia for the Strafvollzug.

Here is a nice set of Polizei Strichtarn camouflage that is MdI marked and dated 1989. This uniform shows the subdued shoulderboards for a 2nd year student at the Police Officer Academy. The raindrop camo pattern was used by both the military and the police and about the only discernible difference are the markings. The grey webgear was also used by both the military and the police.

View of the subdued police shoulder boards worn on camo uniforms. Also notice the grey plastic buttons that are utilized on these uniforms.

Here is my light weight summer Civil Defense tunic. The wear to the cuff title seems to correspond to that seen on the tunic.

The shoulder boards have the purple waffenfarbe.. they are not Fire Police Boards. I have never seen boards like these. I thought that the Civil Defense used boards simular to those used by the military(except the waffenfarbe is violet), instead of the police.

What are your thoughts?

And another tunic with a different patch

Patrick and OPRO,

You guys have some mindblowing stuff.

Here are a few of my DDR tunics to add to the thread. The first photo consists of Environmental Police and Harbor Police uniforms.

George,

Thanks for you kind compliments. The shoulderboards on the Civil tunic do have a back center on the obverse.

What is the controversy on the Civil Boards? I have not heard this before.

On the EM pilot's tunic, the Air Force boards were already on them when I got it, yet I thought that they looked funny. I would have figured the they would have at least made a dark blue body on the boards if they were to be used on that uniform. I will find some police NCO/EM boards and replace them.

Is there a thread dedicated to the Border Guard? I have many tunics I would love to share. I am especially proud of my Border Guard Aviation uniforms.

It would be great if we had a post war Germany section to devote this wonderful portion of history!

What are your thoughts on the mint green tunic?

Regards
Paul

Here is a closeup of the cuff title!

And another for a Correctional Officer(NCO)

I almost forgot to post the visors for the Correctional and Fire Police uniforms

TRAPO NCO

Also, I have this tunic... I have no idea what police organization it belongs to.

I did not know whether to classify Stasi as Police of Miltary, so I will post them anyway.

Officer

Another photo of a General wearing the lime green tunic at a graduation for the VP Offizerschule. Notice no one else is wearing one.

With a couple of different shoulder patches

I will start a thread on the Grenzschutz.

Thank you for your expertice and for posting those photos. I especially like the commissioning photo!!!

Regards
Paul

Paul,

Some people think that these boards are proper for the Civil Defense because of the Malino colored piping but I have not seen any regulations for them for other than Feuerwehr.

You can use standard blue Transportpolizei NCO boards for your pilot tunic to be correct.

Why don't you just start a thread on the Grenztruppen uniforms? I think they rolled the postwar european forum into the misc. forum. If Dave does not mind, you could start a thread here.

Your mint green tunic is a summer dress style Uniformjacke for Volkspolizei Officers. They were generally worn by high ranking officers and you don't see a lot of photos of them in wear. They are fairly hard to come by as collector's items in the US. Here is another example for a Colonel.

George

Here is a uniform for the Fire Police.

Next up are some TRAPO aviation tunics. Officer

Jiri,

Thanks for the sharp eye! You are correct. I had not noticed the shoulder boards are the early style and that this WSP tunic should have the later style NCO boards. The tunic came with these boards on it, but I will change them out to the proper later ones today.

Too many uniforms to keep up with. Here is another early WSP uniform that is dated to the first quarter of 1980. Notice it is not piped in green around the collar. The sleeves are also lined with striped ticking rather than the solid color dederon normally found.

George

This is the bulk of my DDR police tunics. Was the Grenschutz considered to be police or military?

Regards
Paul

One more WSP tunic. This is the Ausgangsuniform that was specified for the Wasserschutz- und Hafenpolizei. The polizeigrau Ausgangsjacke was worn by the Feuerwehr, Strafvollzug, Transport, Wasserschutz- und Hafenpolizei; while the schiffgrün Ausgangsjacke was worn by the regular "green" VP. This Ausgangsjacke has green piping, therefore could have only been worn by the Wasserschutzpolizei as it does not have a Hafenpolizei sleeveband.

George

Here are a couple TRAPO Officers

Barracks Police

Here is my example for the Factory Guard Police

The next couple of uniforms are representatives from the Customs Police.

Officers:

Here is a photo of the tunic in wear by a General Officer.

Here are some EM and NCO examples

Enlisted ranking

Enlisted

ORPO,
I browsed this thread many times but only today I noticed there are some disproportions in Bootsführer uniform You've posted in 2004.
As You said this uniform was made in 1990 - the last year of DDR - but shouldeboards don't match to 1990 and I think to metallic Unterführer collar patches too.

Paul,

Excellent uniforms!

Technically, the Stasi evolved into a quasi-military organization but their authority continued to come from the Ministry for State Security. I tend to look at "police" organizations as those of the Ministry of the Interior, but I know what you mean. There is no real bright line with some of these organizations such as the Environmental law enforcement folks and the Forestry law enforcement people, who did not answer to the MdI.

The Grenzschutz also evolved from the Grenzpolizei and became separated from the MdI chain of command when the NVA was formed. So, they are really separate with the exception of the 1940s-50s Grenzpolizei.

There is some controversy over the Civil Defense shoulder boards. Do yours have black centers? If so, I believe they would be Feuerwehr rather than Zivilverteidigug.

One correction on your Hubschreibereinheit uniform. The Transportpolizei uniform with light blue Luft- style collar tabs is correct for both officer and NCO ranks. The light blue Luft- style shoulderboards are correct for officer ranks but incorrect for NCOs according to regulations. Your NCO tunic should have standard Kornblumenblau Bisen- und Effektenfarbe shoulderboards as odd as that may seem. I suspect this is because the police and Air Force NCO ranks did not correspond.

Very nice stuff.

George

George,

That is a great ensemble! While DDR is the primary focus of my post war collection, I would love to get my hands on a West German Border Guard Camo cold weather field jacket with all insignia(and not slashed to heck).

Regards
Paul

View of the back showing the same style of shoulder so the policeman could stand in the rain to direct traffic and still have some hope of staying dry.

It doesn't work, by the way. You still get soaked.

George

Soulder board .

Side view .

VOPO visor cap from 1988 per inside markings.

...and backside.

Here now my VOPO LtC dress tunic which has dbl. mtl . cuff litzen . Per inside ink stamp from 1st quarter of 1979 and MdI . Posted by Bernd.

...and the mtl. cuff litzen.

Collar tab .

Close-up of upper portion . Tunic still has manufacturer's tailor paper tag stitched to the sleeve.

Bernd,

Here is the East German version of your white traffic police coat. This one is for a female and has the winter collar attached.

George

AND the Pol. high grade "Akademie"--school badge plus the Pol. skill 1st class cross bar.

Here now my Major of the Correctional Police tunic. Per inside ink cancel from 1987 and MdI .

...and one last frontal view.

Inside still sports DDR Newspaper of that time !

..and the collar tab.

The tag.

Shoulder board.

While re-reading this thread it occurs to me that we have no Feuerwehr uniforms. So, here is a uniform for the professional Firemen. It has malino police style insignia but this one is an early style without malino piping on the collar and cuffs.

This Senior NCO has Feuerwehr Obermeister shoulder boards with black interior cords and malino colored backing.

Finally, here is a later Feuerwehr Officer tunic showing the malino piping on the collar and the cuffs.

The collar tabs are the NCO style with metal litzen and malino colored backing.

Perhaps we can get the East German Polizei thread back on track with some more DDR items.

Here is another DDR Feuerwehr uniform. This one is for a female of the Volunteer Fire Department (FFW).

Closeup view of the collar tabs and shoulder board for East German FFW. The shoulder boards on the previous picture were incorrect and these are the proper malino colored shoulder boards.

Here is a very early FFW wool uniform with a closed collar. This uniform is for a male Sergeant. Notice that this tunic is piped.

Closeup view of the machine sewn collar tabs and piped collar.

Closeup view of the FFW Sergeant shoulder boards. Notice that the board centers are malino (red) instead of black signifying Volunteer Fire Department status. These are also very early DDR shoulder boards made in the old WWII style.

Closeup view of the FW qualification badge worn on the uniform. This FW specialty indicates a Hoseman.

"In 1952 the position of Abschnittsbevollmächtigter was established. In addition to other duties, the ABV was basically the link to the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (Stasi)."

Here is an example of the ABV uniform. These were typically officers that were considered to be involved in "Community Policing" from the point of view of the East Germans.

ABV officers wore the same uniform as other Volkspolizei with the addition of the distinctive shoulder patch.

I just got this great set of collar tabs and shoulder boards for the DDR -Umweltschutz und Wasserwirtschaft---Environmental Protection and Water Conservation Police . Now I need a tunic to put them on !

..and 1st close-up.

...and close-up of the insignia on the tab . I like this design !

Lower rank Shoulder Boards.

..and a little higher rank shoulder boards.

...and a little higher rank.

..and my highest rank of Oberstleutnat.

I don't know if this service wore thia gilt DDR -Navy belt buckle --put they seem to be hard to find!

..and close-up shows some honest wear .

...and the backside .

Also got 2 of these Volkspolizei sleeve Chevrons that were worn low on the lower part of the sleeve .I think they stood for years of service ---,in this case 20 years .The silver bullion tresse looks very nice to me .Besides the green wool backing ,it has a second glued on gray linen backing .

..and close up of the center line overlap and it's stitching .

I also got this DDR -visor cap insignia that seems a little different than the norm . It is stitched onto a heavy duty green faced material by dark brown thread going throug holes that are in the ends of the leaves . I found this very interesting , since it is the first one I have seen with this attachment system .

Here a close-up that shows the small holes at the end of the leaves and the thread going through them .

The backside shows the thread going aroud the edges of the metal insignia on the frontside .

Not Polizei --but got this nice set of DDR Red Cross badges -I thought you might find interesting .

Close-up of the upper section.

..and close-up of the lower section . The lower spange has a addition with a " I ", meaning 1st class .

Bernd,

Good to see you this past weekend at the militaria show. Also, a good pickup on the gold DDR buckle. Did you get that at the show? I seldom see these gold ones for sale.

Here is the U.u.W. uniform that you need for your insignia.

George : Nice tunic , -now I need to get one ! Is that a women's tuni, since therea are no upper pockets ??. The DDR navy EM buckle came with the set of shoulder boards . It was nice to see Linda and you at the show .Bernd

Bernd,

No, this is a man's tunic because it buttons left to right. Oddly enough, these U.u.W. tunics did not have breast pockets for either male or females and were cut appreciably the same except for which side they buttoned on and the cut of the chest and hips of course.

Here is the female version of this tunic.

quote:

Originally posted by ORPO:
The 1947 is a not a date but is a style or cut number I believe. Excellent photos!

George

1947 is the "Betriebsnummer" or makers code.

I just got this great looking DDR-Police Crash Helmet inthe mail .

..and a side view.

..and the other side .

..and backside view.

..and close-up of the insignia decal .

Interior shows the the leather and padded side and neck skirt can be taken off per a zipper . Manufacturer's letters on the zipper are "ULTRA".

Interior view shows white crossed woven straps and leather finger liner , plus a red thick foam liner all the way around .

The helmet has no Manufacture's logo anywhere , except the underside of one of the fingers of the leatherliner at the back overlap has:
"II/X". And the size marking of "55" is on one finger to the inside surface.

..and close-up shot of the zipper .

..and end of the zipper .

..and one more view of the helmet front .
I just love this helmet , since it seems to be good quality work compared with some of the other DDR stuff !

Bernd,

Nice motorcycle helmet. Here is a view of them in wear.

And, here is a view of one with a two-way radio modification. I have never seen one of the radio equipped helmets for sale.

Also, notice the female traffic cop in the background.

Here is a medal for the KVP.

Here is the reverse of the medal.

Roy,

A very nice boxed KVP medal. Is your medal serial numbered?

Thanks, Orpo!

It is serial numbered 012869. Do you know if these can be researched like the Soviet awards?

Roy,

These early numbered medals are not really researchable unless you have the matching Urkunde. Here is a 1954 dated Ehrenurkunde with the matching numbered Volkspolizei Honor Badge. The VP quit numbering their medals some time in the late 1950s and those are impossible to research without an Urkunde of course.

This early cased pin back version of this highest police award was made by an old line Third Reich badge maker (frankly I forget which company at the moment) and it is a very well made heavy enamel badge. Notice this early award does not have the DDR Wappen on the flag as do later versions.

Here is a close up view of the back of the numbered badge showing the multi-piece construction and markings.

I have several of this fellow's medals and Urkunde. The last one is dated 1960 when he was a Lieutenant Colonel.

Orpo,

Thanks again! Your VP Highest Honor badge is very, very nice! Compared to the later East German awards, I find the earlier pieces to be very well made.

RoyQ,

You are welcome and thanks for the kudos on my early VP Honor Badge.

Here is one of his last awards that I have that is not numbered. This long service medal in gold is dated 1960 and you will notice that the Urkunde has no place for the medal number like on the earlier award document. So, this medal would not be researchable at all except for the fact that it is accompanied by the document. Another interesting thing to notice is that the earlier Honor Badge Urkunde is signed by the Chief of the VP while this later document is signed by the Minister of the Interior.

I had these for years , but just found out that these are early VOPO Collar Tabs , worn from 1954 to 1965 .

The have nice bullion work on black wool backing .

..and a close-up . The pairs are still tied with some black string to each other .

The backsides show the heavy stock paper backing material ; one in white and one in yellow color .

..and piping ends tied down at the corner ;here you also see the string that ties the pair together .

Here my latest DDR-BAHNPOLIZEI summer tunic I just got in the mail .

The interesting sleeve patch .
George told me , that he had seen a photo of this type of tunic being worn on the U-Bahn trains in Berlin as the East Germans wanted to prevent people from leaving via the trains to West- Berlin .

..and a close-up .

..and the shoulder board . Interesting part here is that the button of the board is a srew type into a base plate inside the shirt and not the normal DDR string tie-down type .

Per this manufacturer's tag , the shirt was a privat purchase shirt and not just issue .

BTT to keep alive

At a small Gun Show near St.Louis, MO.last weekend ,I found this nice Volkspolizei Officer's Visor Cap with a white cover for either summertime wear or ,what I think is more correct, for Traffic Control Service .

..and a side view.

,,and you can see the grass -green piping below the very tight fitting white top .

Interior of the cap is marked : MdI , Size 57 , Maker 1856 , and Y for year 1988 .
This agrees with the Berlin newspaper page left in the cap that is dated 6./7.Aug.1988; --just a year and a couple of month before the
'Wende' in Oct.1989 !

..Well, if you look at the photo of a DDR traffic motor cycle unit posted by George on 04.Aug.2008 , you will see this
visor cap being worn by the Officer in the center of the photo !

The latest item I got is this VOPO Verkehrspolizei BLINKGUERTEL.

..And the buckle and the first blink light .

Battery box removed from the plastic pouch .

Metal plate on the battery box backplate.

The box held 3 batteries .
Upper righthand is a black off and on switch that could be reached through a cutout in the base of the plastic pouch .

Close-up of resistors and blink mechanism ,

The orange blinker cap can be unsrewed
and also the inside light bulb of 3,2 V.

Backside of buckle and belt catch end .
The electronics are very well done .
However , the plastic belt seems to be to weak to hold up for long time use !
Overall , an interesting item !

BTT to keep alive

Here now latest Vopo outfit ; Visor cap , pants , shirt ,tie and raincoat;---but no tuic !

..but no tunic ; I wanted to say.

Belt and pockets .

...slip-on shoulder board.

..wrist closures inside sleeve .

..partial inside liner .

Markings inside lefthand interior breast pocket.'L' would stand for the year 1987 .

Overal coat ; --sorry it is sideways !

VOPO visor cap is dated to 1972 .

..side view .

..upper back of the raincoat.

One more item :the coat has 3 large size brown plastic front closure buttons , hidden by an interior overlap pocket strip up at the lefthand front closure of the coat .

Here the interior markings inside the visor cap .