Luftwaffe Polizei
Unteroffizier, Luftwaffe 20th, Feldgendarmerie Regiment:
The Luftwaffe branch of the Feldgendarmerie functioned in the Field, with the Fallschirmjager, and with the “Hermann Goring Panzer Division”. Each of these Feldgendarmerietrupp displays a unique insignia. This Unteroffizier controls movement and enforces regulations in a Felddivision and could be on duty on any front late in the war. The Feldgendermerie of the Luftwaffe was under the command of their division and performed similar duties as their Heer and Waffen-SS counterparts, i/e, rear area security, traffic control, troop direction, collecting stragglers, as well as anti-partisan duties were part of their job. The units were fully motorized using light unarmored vehicles and carried only light arms; however, at this stage of the conflict, all had a working knowledge of the use of the Panzerfaust.
This Unteroffizier wears the late war pattern M44 Field Service Uniform in Luftwaffe Feldblau. The M44 uniform was developed to save time and use less material in uniform production, and all field forces adopted it. After 1943, the Luftwaffe Feldgendarmerie shifted from the Administrative blue Waffenfarbe to the standard “Burnt-Orange”.
While not the norm even in 1945, the M44 was well-received and liked by those troops who received them. This uniform features the standard Heer-style Feldgendarmerie cuff title applied to the sleeve, as was commonly seen with the Hermann Göring Division. Suggesting that this NCO could be stationed in Italy or Russia, thus subject to the same regulations.
He has proven his combat leadership and has been awarded the Iron Cross Second Class, as well as the somewhat rare Luftwaffe Ground Combat Award. He wears an M43 cap, with standard Luftwaffe insignia, or, while on duty, the Steel Helmet, along with the standard belt, with whatever items on it are necessary for duty. He wears the Kielhose or mid-war pattern trousers along with lace-up boots with Gamaschen. While on duty, he was to wear the Gorget, and while the Luftwaffe did have the style eagle on many, often the Heer pattern was used.
“Updated” Zugfuhrer, Luftschtzpolizie:
The Air Protection Police (Luftschutzpolizei-LSP) was an organization activated on 1 June 1942 whose purpose was to organize and control air defense and related activities throughout Germany. The Air Defence Police came about as a result of heavy Allied bombing attacks that eventually overwhelmed its predecessor organization, the Assistance Service (Sicherheits und Hilfdienst-SHD). The Luftschutzpolizei fell within the full authority of the German Order Police (Ordnungspolizei), but by most accounts, it is best regarded as Germany’s central air defense organization. Air defense conscripts were trained by the local chief of the Ordnungspolizei and fell under his overall jurisdiction. Most were volunteers, although many were likely former police officers now called upon for additional service time. Many period photographs clearly illustrate that the men who served in the Air Protection Police were middle-aged.
Members of the Luftschutzpolizei worked closely with other organizations such as the Technical Emergency Corps (Technische Nothilfe-Teno), the Fire Protection Police (Feuerschutzpolizei), and Air Protection Police (Luftschutzpolizei), and the Air-Protection Warning Service (Luftschutzwarndienst-LSW). Coordination between organizations was vital to the overall work of all units involved in air raid defense. Units were authorized to control the civilian population during air attacks, assist and provide medical and evacuation services with the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rote Kreuz), organize repair services for buildings, utility, and transportation centers, decontamination areas, and conduct gas-detection care for wounded animals and livestock, assist with fire fighting duties and provide rescue and ambulance services to victims of Allied bombing.
Essentially, the Air Protection Police organization was Germany’s answer to a comprehensive need for a single air defense organization. Due to the nature of the work involved, members were required to have better head protection than generally provided by the Luftschutz Gladiator helmets. Unit members typically wore dark blue M1935, M1940, and 1942 “beaded’ combat helmets with standard Luftschutz insignia. *This Uniform has a blue Gladiator-style helmet, now, and the helmet needs a home; one used what was available.
This Zugführer’s decorations tell an interesting story of his service, which could be speculated about. Starting with his early pattern Luftwaffe Pilots Qualification badge, he qualified as a pilot, and maybe as so, earned the Iron Cross II class, as well as the War Merit Cross II class with Swords, obviously making serious decisions in combat early in the conflict, His 1914-18 War Service Ribbon with Swords and his Hungarian Knightly Order of Vitez indicate service in the First World War, possibly Infatry, or involved with the early aircraft, and “I’m guessing” he flew then too.
But his silver wound badge tells us that all ended, when he suffered wounds in battle leaving him with some debilitating injury, possibly a loss of an eye, or eye-sight, a limb, or another disabling wound likely leading to the end of his service as a pilot, scarred lungs, could be any number things though, and as such, the present stationing to the LSP.
The Sig-Runen der SS was worn on Order Police uniforms by all who had been Allgemeine-SS members, and late in the War, the SS took over all the Polizei as an organization, and then SS Runes were then applied to their uniforms, once they had signed the pepper work, at any rate, he decided to return to his beloved Luftwaffe, either to fly as a pilot or any position, perhaps just be with airplanes. His Collar Tabs are Much the Same as the Heer “Wehrmacht” but are often used with “Polizei” as well, it’s a different green backing, and the Shoulder Boards are the pattern of the Beamte (Civilian Volunteer), but if so generally there would be a HV cipher in the center, a Civilian, working with the Military in a “Specialists” position, and he fits all those roles as well. Generally, the specialist would be working in the Administrative or Operations Department, not just moving paper across desks but out in the field as well, they were fairly common really, and filled many positions for clerks, finance, designers, builders, construction, and maintenance people, as well as backing up the Police departments, and Fire department, Medical, etc.
All LSP uniforms were basic Luftwaffe Issues. In this case, the popular Fliegerbluse, with breeches and Police-modified LW. Cap, all could have been from his prior Service with the Luftwaffe. He wears officer-grade leather boots along with a standard LW shirt and tie. His dressier appearance indicates an administrative position in the Luftwaffe’s Organization; his shoulder boards are typical beamte looking, and keeping with his injury, pushed into a reserve role, but still an important one, and he’s dressing the part.
This Zugführer still wears the Luftwaffe Blue-Gray standard uniform and military decorations, with beamter boards and a mix of Wehrmacht, Police, and SS insignia. Straight trousers would have been the norm, with black shoes, but are breaches possible, with shoes, a leather belt, and a shirt with a tie?
Oberzugführer Sicherheits u. Hilfdienst SHD Tempelhof Berlin (Air Warden):
The Sicherheits und Hilfdienst (Security and Assistance Service) was the civil protection service in charge of rescuing victims of bombings in connection with the Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Service) and the Feuerschutzpolizei (professional fire departments). Created in 1935, it was renamed Luftschutzpolizei in April 1942, when transferred from the aegis of the Ministry of Aviation to the Ordnungspolizei. The transfer took place as part of the reorganization of the German civil defense caused by the heavy casualties suffered from Allied bombings of civilian targets.
Members were trained in firefighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures, and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids. They additionally provided additional security for areas disrupted by bombing raids. SHD personnel were volunteers and often military veterans from the 1914-18 War. By 1944, they included recent veterans who, while unable to continue in military service, could serve in this role. This “Old Timer” has earned the Verwundtenabzeichen in Gold, awarded for a debilitating injury suffered at the front (5+ Wounds). The Oberzugführer has also been awarded the Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. u. II. Klasse during his service. He wears the final pattern model 1944 uniform in the Luftwaffe blue-grey wool and Einheitsfeldmütz. He tried to be useful and help hip people as best he could, his entire adult life, perhaps surviving the War and helping to keep order, while seeing the reconstruction and rebuilding of his Germany once again, finding peace.
“Updated Pictures” Feldpolizeidirektor, Luftwaffe (GFP) Geheimfeldpolizei, Internal Affairs:
Just like the German Army (Heer-Wehrmacht), the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) had their ‘Secret Police’ to guard against sabotage and espionage, as well as seeking out those undermining the morale of the troops. They also procured documents for court-martial, as well as provided standard field police services such as troop management and traffic control. security inspections, and various other forms of monitoring the troops. He was a man with no real close friends, but had people who followed orders, a serious man, and a feared man, as much from his own as from their enemies. He made sure that Hitler’s Desires for the Polizei Personnel to do, is exactly what they did, nothing more, nothing less, according to doctrine.
‘Luftwaffe GFP’ personnel wore a wine red overlay on dark green shoulder boards with the Gold color GFP cipher. The collar insignia was a silver rank over dark green backing, with gold piping.
The Direktor wears a standard Luftwaffe uniform with the GFP insignia applied to it. He wears the detachable metal National Eagle on his chest and displays no awards, but he is not a front-line guy. He had a fine crusher cap (but officer style), leather seat breeches (photo shoot, used the same breaches as the Zugführer, Luftschtzpolizei uniform, unfortunately, belt, holstered pistol, and boots. He likely wore a gray wool or leather overcoat as well; they didn’t need attention, and the jacket made people turn their heads, intimidation a very real aspect.
“New Story” Leutnant, Luftwaffe Kriegsgerichtsrat:
Military judicial service (Militärgerichtsbarkeit). The Reichskriegsgericht (RKG), (Reich Military Court) was the highest level of court from 1900 to 1945. The Luftwaffe part of the Wehrmacht (Armed Forces), the highest in command, next to Adolf Hitler, was Hermann Göring, assigned as the Reichsminister der Luftfahrt. Göring had also become the Supreme Commander of the Luftwaffe (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe).
The highest supervisory authority in the Luftwaffe’s legal branch was the Director of Luftwaffe Legal Matters, ”Chef der Luftwaffe-Rechtspflege” at the top of the High Command of the German Air Force [Oberkommando der Luftwaffe] in Berlin. They applied the military penal code to military judgment, advising the Chief of the General Staff, the Director for Air Matters, and all departments of the Reich Air Ministry on legal matters; superintending and directing all legal disputes concerning the aviation department of the Reich Treasury; and dealing with cases of sabotage in the Luftwaffe organization. They dealt with cases of the Air Force’s disobedience charges, military criminal charges, and the Wehrkraftzersetzung or "the undermining of military forces. This opened the door for several possible charges, from being a spy or possibly fraternizing with the enemy. The Wartime Special Penal Code (Kriegssonderstrafrechtsverordnung, KSSVO), RKG, was the first and last instance. This led to the court sentencing numerous “Conscience Objectors” to death. In 1940, proceedings of civilians would be dealt with by the Sondergericht at the Volksgerichtshof (People's Court), and civilians who did not want to be in the military went down another route, to prison.
This uniform represents a Deputy Judge Advocate (Kriegsgerichtsrat), His duties included conducting investigations, and the carrying out of the search and seizure of evidence in the case, arresting the accused if necessary, reporting the arrest to the Convening Authority, working with the competent court-martial, replacing the prosecutor during the trial if the competent legal official were not available and the Convening to the (Vol. 49 GERMAN MILITARY JUSTICE CODE) the Authority ordered it, and conducting postmortem examinations.
The shoulder boards piping denotes his appointment with the Military judicial service (Militärgerichtsbarkeit), in the color Bordeaux (Purple-Red). The Dark Green backing implies he works with the Administration (Militärverwaltung). A Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant U.S.A.A.F. equivalent). He has no real decorations, which was not uncommon with people working in the court’s operations; they were not soldiers, or airmen, generally, they were officials, not battle troops. It’s a nice, typical officer’s uniform, but has Dark Green backed Leutnant rank collar tabs, boxed in Green and white twist-cord. Just a note, that the Luftwaffe Administration also used a dark blue-gray to back the administration to add confusion. The white and green may refer to the active assignment, beamte contract, or drawn from reserves; it was lost to me when I lost the file on this uniform. This uniform has been pictured with the bly breeches with the grey leather seat, as several others in this section, regular trousers or breaches would have been better. black boots and belt, and a light blue shirt with a black tie, a nice officers’ cap completing the uniform.
Generalluftzeugmeister, Fliegerkorps IX Niederland:
The Generalluftzeugmeister was a special organization made up of civil engineers working on Luftwaffe projects. They worked with and under Luftwaffe Officers and Senior NCOs at factories producing Luftwaffe armaments as well as in the field, where Luftwaffe troops needed additional support with equipment. Established in February 1939 under Generaloberst Ernst Udet until November 1941 when command was assumed by Feldmarschall Erhard Milch. In 1944, it became part of the General Luftzeugmeister-Amt (Department of the Chief of Aircraft Procurement and Supply). The main tasks of the Generalluftzeugmeister included the development, testing, and procurement of all material for the German Luftwaffe during World War II, as well as the provision of supplies for all the Luftwaffe's subordinate offices. The development and testing required GL engineers to be in the field to physically check and monitor new projects. As the borders of the Reich expanded, so did their areas of responsibility. Little information is available regarding the uniform regulations of the Generalluftzeugmeister.
This Example is from two European collections. Techniker wears a standard Luftwaffe Dienstanzug with Generalluftzeugmeister insignia. Period and collection photos show various combinations of insignia worn. A uniform in dunkleblau wool was also issued. The distinguishing insignia is the unique Industrie Abzeichen, which had the Luftwaffe Adler imposed upon an industrial cogged wheel. The Udet-Boje, the Luftwaffe's Rettungsboje or Rescue Bouy, was designed to provide shelter for the pilots and crew of aircraft shot down or forced to make an emergency landing over the English Channel. They were constructed under the direction of Generaloberst Ernst Udet, Generalluftzeugmeister, and became known as ‘Udet-Boje’. 50 Boje were deployed in the Channel, many off the Dutch coast. They supplied shelter, a means to signal that the buoy was occupied, as well as a basic medical kit, iron rations, water, life jackets, as well as bunks and blankets.
It seems hilarious now, perhaps, and a bit of a reach that the aircrews could even reach the survival buoy, and get out of their tiny raft, tired, scared, and hurt, and safely climb onto the wet-bouy, bouncing all over. Trust me, I’ve tried to get out of the water and onto a ship at sea once; it’s nearly impossible, you're freezing, weak, have no grip, and sinking, and that railing looks high! It was sheer luck and faith that I got out of the water, cause it wasn’t me doing it! It is likely was more to give the flyers some hope of crossing the channel, than they ever saved lives, it is debatable, but the fact is, people will fight harder if they think they will have help, or have a good chance to service the event, they had to try, airmen take time to train and learn their trade, and you’re going to need a lot of them, a lesson the German Airforce never really prepared for quite enough, they would suffer horrendous losses by the end of the War.
The Luftwaffe uniforms here must be among the oddest and hardest to get together. This type of uniform just disappeared after the war; if anything was saved was the insignia, but even then, now I suppose someone will make 10,000 copies of these. But many other variations of these could be brought to light again.
