Gordon Craig

Gentlemen, Some new pieces for my collection. The first issue Ehrennadel for the VdgB and a cased metal non portable medal celebrating 40 years of the VdgB. The Ehrennadel is Bartel #4667 a) that has the text in small letters. Bartell does not indicate any date for the institution of this Ehrennadel although the organization traces its roots back to 1945/46. #4667 b) is identical in design but has larger text and was discontinued in 1960. #4667 c is different in design and has the state seal in the centre and the VdgB emblem at the bottom of the badge. There were d, e, and f pins that had slight variations not worth mentioning. Peasants Mutual Aid Association The Peasants Mutual Aid Association (German: Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe, VdgB) was an East German mass organization for peasants and farmers (later also gardeners.) It was founded in the 1945-1946 period and was a participant in the National Front. From 1950 to 1963 and again in 1986 it had representation in the Volkskammer. In 1989 a GDR publication put the membership of the VdgB at 632,000 persons. During the Peaceful Revolution the VdgB suffered due to its extensive connections with the ruling Socialist Unity Party. In February 1990 it changed its name to the Farmers Association of the GDR, but was unable to make the transition from East German society to that of a reunified Germany. Peasants Mutual Aid Association Flag of VdgB The Peasants Mutual Aid Association ( VdgB ) was a mass organization of rural population in the German Democratic Republic , which like all the mass organizations was dominated and led by the SED. Before the peaceful revolution in the GDR , the Association was organized in 8000 local groups with 640,000 members. Joining happened less voluntarily but because you were promised social or economic benefits by doing so. During the Peaceful Revolution the VdgB suffered due to its extensive connections with the ruling Socialist Unity Party. In February 1990 it changed its name to the Farmers Association of the GDR, but was unable to make the transition from East German society to that of a reunified Germany. It was formed in the fall of 1945 as commissions for land reform and committees of mutual farmer assistance On the First German Farmers' Day in Berlin (East) in November 1947 the Central Peasants Mutual Aid Association ( "ZVdgB") was established. This organization combined, under pressure from the party, in November 1950 with the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Germany for Peasants Mutual Aid Association / Peasant trading cooperatives and became the (VdgB / BHG) as a joint unit. The SED wanted the VdgB to dominate the Rural Cooperatives. The disempowerment of former Raiffeisengenossenschaften in the villages was the prelude to the collectivization of farms. The highest organs of Peasants Mutual Aid Association met on "German Farmers' Day", later there were "central delegates conferences". The aim of the organization was initially the land reform to support and later the building of socialist agriculture. From that beginning in 1952, the collectivization of East German agriculture - formation of agricultural production cooperatives (LPG) - operated by the SED and modelled after the "Leninist cooperative plan" began. The VdgB / BHG had the incumbent functions on the issue of seed, fertilizers and animal feed and in the control of agricultural products. A press organ appeared in 1946, the weekly newspaper The Free Farm , and from 1985 it became VdgB Gazette - Our village . In 1957, by Order of the V. German Farmers' Day, the organizations name was shortened to "Peasants Mutual Aid Association" ("VdgB"). It consisted of the local organizations of VdgB whose work of area boards, county boards and the Central Board of VdgB it guided and controlled. The district boards and the Central Board of VdgB were also the economic conducting and "balanceing" -organs and Auditing Association of Cooperatives of VdgB, especially the Bäuerlichen trade cooperatives (BHG) (1989: 272 legally independent businesses with 26,000 employees), the two wine cooperatives in the GDR Freyburg and Meissen and the 86 dairy cooperatives (for this only audit services), which were in turn means the local organizations VdgB. The VdgB was a member of the National Front of the GDR and was in municipal councils, and from 1950 to 1963 and from 1986 to 1990 in the People's Chamber represented. Since the seventies their tasks increased to cover other areas- besides substantive technical supply of agricultural enterprises - to improve the working and living conditions in the villages, the maintenance of rural traditions, culture and sports as well as for recreational activities of cooperative farmers ( "Self Service" - including "VdgB-Erholungsheim Ringberghaus " in Suhl with over 180,000 travelers since opening in 1979, "guest and holiday home of VdgB" in Ziegenrück ). The GDR international relations supported the VdgB with the exchange of farmers' delegations and the qualifications of officials of other countries at the Agricultural Engineering School of VdgB "Friedrich Wehmer" in Teutschenthal . A special area in the Central Board of VdgB strove for relations with the Federal Republic of Germany, especially the German Farmers' Association (DBV). This work financed for VdgB from profit transfers from VdgB cooperatives, especially the BHG. Much work was done to maintain the VdgB as a separate farmers organization in the late 80s and especially as union with West Germany loomed in 1990. Some local organizations remained in effect in the early 1990s but eventually farmers from the former East German states had to join West German farmers organizations if they wished to have their rights represented by a larger unified farmers organization.

Gentlemen, Next a Luftstreitkräfte/Luftvereitdigugn (LSK/LV) woman officer's Filzkappen. Later issue with a metal emblem. The white tag at the back of the cap shows the size of 48. The final picture shows a piece of cloth glued over the prongs of the cap badge. I have received a number of these caps with bobby pins still on them. Much better way to keep the cap on a woman's head than the elastic strap on them. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Since Michael invited me to add some of my caps to his post I shall do so. First is an early 1965 Air Defence (Luftverteidigung) visor cap with hand embroidered oak leaves and a metal state seal. Next up two early, 1963 dated, Luftstreitkräfte (LSK) visor caps. I've decided to post pictures of both caps because they illustrate how they looked as issued by the factory and how some airmen modified them in the TR manner. While not common, it was done in both German armed forces in the late 50s early 60s. All insignia on both caps is embroidered silver wire. The factory issued visor and then the owner modified one.

Uffz. Rohleder, Yes it is an early piece of rank insignia. It is missing one prong though. Here is a picture from a reference book showing the early rank insignia. Regards, Gordon

Michael, Good idea to post some DDR head gear. A couple of comments; 1-Item #3 above is the last style issued before the wall came down. Often referred to as the "baseballmutze". 2-The last picture you have titled "combat hood" is the rain pattern camo cover for the steel helmet and not usually worn without the helmet. In contemporary pictures it was usually worn, but not always, with the flap on the back tucked up into the helmet liner. The face veil is usually left rolled up under the font of the helmet. Regards, Gordon

Greakly, There were English speaking firemen at the museum when I used to visit it. Good luck with your search. It would be interesting to find out what they can tell you. Regards, Gordon

Greakly, I have never seen anything like this before. There is an excellent fireman's museum in Budapest. Perhaps if you contact them they might be able to give you some information on this dagger. There are senior officers in the fire department in Hungary with the equivalent rank of General Officer. I have one of their uniforms. Here is a link to the Fire Department Museum in Budapest. I've spent many hours browsing in this museum and the people there were always very helpful to me. http://muzeum.katasztrofavedelem.hu/ Regards, Gordon

ocpd71, Thanks for the response to post. I look forward to seeing your pictures of the other police uniforms that you have. Regards, Gordon

ocpd71 Interesting uniform. I am not familiar with this police force so can not make any comments re cap etc. Have a question though and this is just through curiosity, there appears to have been something removed from the shoulder boards. Would that have been the result of an increase in rank? Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I've been gathering information on the Militarseelorge for the last year or so with the aim of eventually doing a thread on them but never got around to it. As Uwe says, the clergy that provide religious programs, services etc are not members of the BW but they do wear BW uniforms at times. I have numerous pictures of them in both army and navy uniforms and in only one are hats seen in wear and that is the wide brimmed "booney" cap. Interesting that you have found these beret badges as old style authentic ones Uwe. Here is an English version of what Uwe has said above. Regards, Gordon Bundeswehr [ Edit | Source Edit ] Catholic military chaplain (left) and a Protestant chaplain (right) in the ISAF mission Organizational areas within the portfolio of MoD The Protestant military chaplaincy and the Catholic Military Chaplaincy in Germany are by state church contracts regulated. It is one of the so-called. "Joint matters" of state and religious communities ( res mixta ). For the Protestant church a state church contract was closed in 1957 and by the Law on the Military Chaplaincy confirmed 26 July 1957; for the area of the Catholic Church is true Reich Concordat of 1933 according to the legal doctrines continued. The rules govern the Church and pastoral care of all active soldiers ( professional and regular soldiers , voluntary military service providers , conscripts ). This group of people, including spouses and children heard during the service period for jurisdictional district of the Military Bishop and therefore not with the local community, but to the respective military parish that is led by a military chaplain. He celebrates the monthly site service as weekday service for the soldiers and the Sunday military services, to which the soldiers church in itself garrison churches , churches of neighboring parishes or chapels or suitable premises in the barracks together place. Its responsibilities also include regular consultations, Lebenskundlicher lessons for teams or working groups for officers and NCOs and the offering of religious retreats ( setup times , retreats , work weeks). [4] The military chaplains are (usually for at least 6 years) from their national churches and diocesesoptional for this service. They take part in exercises and Bundeswehr operations abroad. The military chaplains have no military rank, are not soldiers or combatants , and are under the special protection of the international law of war. They are members of the Bundeswehr, federal officials on time and be paid out of the Bundeswehr budget. There are so-called denominational state offices, the State may exceptionally consider the religious view or an agreement of the ecclesiastical authority in the occupation; This is constitutionally by Art. 140 GGin conjunction with Article 141. WRV justified. [5] In use, wear military chaplains - like the soldiers - the battle dress with a cross instead of rank insignia. In order to allow the military chaplains an independent and unhindered administration, he is involved in any way in the hierarchy of the armed forces. To assist in its him a parish helper is set aside. Superior of the chaplains is the military dean in each military district , which reports in turn to the Military General (Catholic) or Military General Dean (Protestant). Legally officials followed only the Federal Minister of Defence, which has however to respect the religious self-determination. At the top of the military chaplaincy ecclesiastical hand is the respective military bishop . The Catholic performs this function in addition to office, the Protestant since 2014 full-time. The Catholic chaplaincy is under him as aquasi-diocese organized. Central administrative authorities are the Evangelical Church Office of the Bundeswehr and the Catholic Military Episcopate . To carry out the pastoral care and family care have garrison churches (z. B. Idar-Oberstein and Munster), kindergartens and family and leisure homes (z. B. Haus Karrenberg in Kirchberg, House St. Michael Lohberg) built and operated. They set the Catholic. or ev. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Soldatenbetreung e. V. a. [6] In the operational areas they operate in the field camps, the so-called OASIS N as mobile care services for soldiers of all ranks, nations and religions. [7] [8]

Michael, The insignia you show are well known and obviously for the clergy. There is certainly no argument about them. Your marine cap is very interesting and gives us food for thought. However, I'll remain on the fence until I see a picture of one of these clergy cap badges in wear. Regards, Gordon

Michael, Your comment that these badges are in the army arm of service does not make a lot of sense to me. My understanding is that Protestant and Catholic ministers/priests serving in the arm forces have their own colour ie purple, and that is what they wear. I've gone though my reference books and there are no special cap badges shown anywhere for the clergy. Regards, Gordon

Michael, I'm with Uwe on these badges. I've never seen anything like them before. Regards, Gordon

Paul R, The heavily embroidered ones are not necessarily worn only by officers. This type of cap badge is often worn by Feldwebel etc. Since they are private purchase they are available to anyone who wants buy them. Regards, Gordon

Michael R Some nice badges here. I particularly like the Handelsmarine badges. They are not often seen on the forum. The unfortunate thing about Handelsmarine cap badges is that the company is almost impossible to identify. Thanks for collecting your collection of badges and the variations. Regards, Gordon

Michael R, Interesting lot of cap badges. You say you are looking for BH shoulder boards to mount. BH stands for the Bundesheer the Austrian armed forces. If you want shoulder boards to match the cap badges above you need to ask for Bundeswehr (BW) shoulder boards. Regards, Gordon

Hendrik, Thanks for your response. Regards, Gordon

Hendrik, You mentioned earlier in this thread that the swords on the ribbon were incorrect. Are these the correct swords for this award? Regards, Gordon

Hendrik, Thanks for the info. Regards, Gordon

Hendrik, What do the two ovals above the bars signify? Regards, Gordon

Shots Dave, Here is what I was able to find on the net here the devices on this ribbon. No explanation of what each bar was awarded for. Regards, Gordon A number of ribbon attachments were created for this medal, amongst others two crossed swords for those who had taken part in the 18-Day campaign in 1940, later extended to all who did active duty with the armed forces or the resistance (sailors would receive two crossed anchors for this). There are also emblems for war wounds, mentions in dispatches, volunteers, secret agents, POW's, etc. and bars (some elliptical) to commemorate battles and theatres of operations. The official list of bars reads: Ardennes; Ardennes Belges; Atlantique Nord; Bataille D'Angelterre; Battaille de Belgique 1940; Beauquesne; Belgique; Campagne D'Allemagne; Campagne De Hollande; Canal Albert; Canal Albert-Kanne; Canal De Terneuzen; Canal de Wessem; Dieppe; Emden; Escaut; Flandres 1940; Frontiere; Italie; Knesselare; La Dendre 1940; La Gette; La Lys 1940; Liege 1940; Manche; Namur 1940; Nevele; Normandie; Oldenburg; Ronsele; Vinkt; Walcheren; Winterbeek; Yougoslavie; Zelzate; Zwinjndrecht.

Jock, I'd be interested in your doubles. Regards, Gordon

Stefan, If you do not get many answers from this forum I would suggest that you post your pictures on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum on the 57 Awards sub forum. Regards, Gordon

Christophe, I don't usually comment on photos but two things are of concern here; 1-I am always suspicious of any badge/award where the needle extends below the body of the badge/award; (you can discount this comment. I've reviewed other German made TWMs on this forum and lots of them have needles that protrude below the bottom) 2-It looks too new to me. The Gallipoli Stars that I have in my collection are tarnished, which they should be, since they are 100 years old. Regards, Gordon

Stefan, Thanks for the post of the picture. Too bad your grandfathers name isn't on it. I have never seen anything quite like this. Regards, Gordon