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I know right! Aside from being an old retired soldier, I also served with local law enforcement here in the Fayetteville area for 24 years after retiring from the Army. I don't know why I was surprised that so much of the DVP's duties were as routine as any other LE agency but apparently they were. BTW, I am REALLY enjoying and learning from your detailed posts and encyclopedic knowledge of MdI / DVP and other subjects. I'm sure I speak for many other members. THANK YOU! Scott Samson, US Army (Ret) Fayetteville PD (Ret) Cumberland County S.O. (Ret)

Some more detailed shots

I originally put this in the uniform section with some shots of a Zoll (Customs) Hauptsekritar (senior NCO or Warrant Officer) uniform and with no detail shots of the awards. Rookie mistake. I'll try to do better in future! Detail pics: Zoll Academy School Grad Badge, Verdienstmedaille der Zollvervaltung, Fur Treue Dienste in der Zollvervaltung der DDR (newer version w/ # of years svc on the medal) and Medaille fur Teue Dienste in der Zollvervaltung der DDR (older version issued in bronze, silver and gold colors w/out the years svc shown).

What a neat VP manual. Chock full of great information.

An un-molested ubu-ha blunt space on the blade edge and a family mon along with the owner name on the tang. It just gets better and better. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on such an excellent sword.

Very nice! I'm starting to acquire a few of these.

Mostly collar and shoulder strap badges from what I've read. A fascinating new vista of militaria I've just got into.

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing.

You should be thrilled. Beautiful condition. Thank you for sharing!

Nice pick-up. Thanks for posting.

Awesome find. Thank you for sharing.

Wow! These are certainly some unique one of a kind artifacts. Thanks for sharing them.

Interesting design on the helmet. Thank you for sharing!

Impressive detailed research. Thank you for this. Scott

Here are some examples of hats worn from WW2 to modern day. The Hat-KFF as it was officially named ( full name = Hat Khaki Fur Felt). It was issued for the Campaigns in Africa, The Anglo Boer War, and later for use in Burma. Anglo-Boer example. WW2 example as worn in Burma it has a Major rank badge in the ventilation holes, the liner has been removed for comfort, these hats were sometime camouflage painted with Olive Drab stripes. 1st Battalion, The Royal Rhodesia Regiment 1952 the triangle with S.R.G. is the Southern Rhodesian Government stamp.

Once again, I'm seeking the assistance of experts in an unfamiliar (to me) branch of service (my family were all Royal Navy). I recently acquired the WWII identification disks of RAFVR pilot Philip Augustus Bush (1921-2020). His OR number, 1270302, shows that he entered the RAFVR in May 1940 at (probably) Uxbridge. Thereafter, two listings in the London Gazette announce his "W/O appointment to commission as Plt Off on prob. (emergency)" on 29 April, 1945 and his subsequent "Confirmation and promotion" on 29 October, 1945. His commissioned service number was 198211. This all seemed normal for the wartime commissioning of pilots according to an article I read; "Warrant Officers were commissioned straight into Flying Officer rank, bypassing Pilot Officer. This recognised their service experience prior to commission. However, all promotions were for a probationary period of approximately 6 months before seniority in rank was confirmed." So far, so good. However, looking further into RAF ranks, it seemed to me that Warrant Officers - those bearing the 'Tate and Lyles' on their sleeves - were senior NCOs along the lines of a Sergeant Major in the army. So, whilst I can easily get my head around 'Flight Sergeant' to 'Pilot Officer', I can't quite see a seasoned W/O (who I've always imagined as being high ranking ground crew) making the change to flyer. I know that I'm completely missing the point somewhere due to my ignorance of RAF procedures and ranks but, if someone could step in and throw some light on this in order for me to better understand Flying Officer Bush's service history, I would be extremely grateful! Cheers, Simon

Two crew of the early Sd.Kfz.232 (fu) 6 Wheel Armored Car, the Communications version of the vehicle. France 40, unit ynknown.

Thanks!

Brings back memories of driving around East Berlin in the mid 80s. VOPOs everywhere.. Leigh

Impressive collection. Leigh

I'm told these are from the Sjoforsvaret (sea defence or Navy). They closely resemble our own US Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) basic and senior badges. As I'm a retired EOD tech myself, I'm always on the lookout for EOD or Bomb Disposal stuff.

Kind of self explanatory. Each patch clearly identifies the unit or organization. Anyone have any more of these to show?

Actually I obtained most of these items locally at gun and militaria shows right here in the Ft Bragg or Raleigh area. Lots of old Vietnam vets round here. Fascinating to talk to. Scott

"Schlag nach fur Volkspolizisten" (Reference for police officers) is just what the title states. Published in 1972 by the Interior Ministry this was apparently the standard manual for Volkspolizisten to guide them in their everyday work and duties. Much of the manual will be familiar to most law enforcement officers anywhere and deals with such routine topics as conduct of officers, traffic control, criminal and arrest procedures, first aid, traffic accident procedures, dealing with juveniles, etc. What most Western officers will find interesting is the excruciating detail, often committed to diagrams for decision making for Volkspolizisten for even the most basic law enforcement situations. There are also sections on such topics as "Protection of Animals" and "Dealing with Foreigners." After I got past the heavy odor of stale cigarette smoke that permeated the pages (this must have been the station copy) I found this thing fascinating.

Some stuff unique to Grenztuppen. Though the ribbon bars and hangers look the same as the standard NVA Treue Dienste medals, these are specifically designated to Grenztruppen. They also had their own Fur Herforragende Verdienste award in three grades and a Fur Vorbildlichen Grenzdienst medal. The qualification and Bester badges resemble thier NVA equivalents but with border unique logos.