UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Landsmannschaft Südwestafrika

As with many countries that had colonies & protectorates in other places, the children of those families living abroad were often sent back to the homeland to be educated. The German speaking population of South West Africa (Namibia) were no different & often sent their children home to learn trades & complete their eductation. During the 1930's the youngsters sent from German Southwest Africa were also expected or complete the labour Service (RAD, RADwJ etc) & the obligatory military service.

In 1935, in Golsar, Germany, the Landsmannschaft Südwestafrika (the Expatriate Organisation of South West Africa) was formed to allow these youngsters to meet people with a similar background & to make new friends. The organisation was originally run by Kurt Kock from his apartment in Berlin, but the membership & aministration grew so quickly that official offices were rented in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, Westfälische Straße 1-2. Eventually the organisation spread over the entire country with offices in 9 Gaue.

Below is a very rare Ausweis for the organisation, very few seem to have survived, but the plain cover may be one explanation for the reason.

Once opened the symbol of the organisation is found, a triangle standing on its point with a red border, in the centre a Camel Thorn bough or "Dreidorn" with a Swastika underneath it.

Unfortunatley, the young lady who owned the card never paid any of her subscritions as there aren't any stamps on the dues page.

Here is an example of another card owned by a friend showing some of the due stamps....

And finally the actual membership badges. These came in pinback & stickpin form. As the reverses are totally devoid of markings I shall not bother to post them.

Darn ---- now I'm going to be haunted as to where I saw that image before ----? Postcard?

Thanks Don, great write up and collection of items. That's a mean looking thorn bough.

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

Thank you Joe,

Are you thinking of the badge for the Deutschen Pfadfinderbundes Südwest Afrika? The Landsmannschaft Südwestafrika were closely affiliated with them & as you can see above, there was even a space on ther membership card to fill in if the person had been a member of that organisation as well.

The badge was almost identical except for the colour & lack of a Swastika....

Image borrowed from the net...

Correct Don. That's what I have seen in the past.

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

Strictly speaking, this piece has nothing to do with the Landsmannschaft Südwestafrika, however I thought that it may fit. A tinnie from the Deutscher Turnerschaft South West Africa for the Gau Turn Fest Windhoek in 1935...

To me it ties in. It appears to be tombac base metal or undercoated with a bronze finish then a dark coating applied to the badge.

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

Fantastic thread Don and a great collection you have assembled!!!

I've never heard of the Landsmannschaft Südwestafrika and enjoyed reading the background on your items.

Thank you Gentlemen.