Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Share #1 Posted September 14, 2020 The Reichsarbeitsdienst Diesnststellenabzeichen (Sleeve Shield), we've all seen these in photos and we might even have one in our collection, so, what does it mean and how can we decipher it's relationship with the RAD ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted September 14, 2020 The RAD was organized into Arbeitsgau or Divisional Districts, each being numbered with a Roman numeral between I and XXXX (1 and 40) by the end of the war. An Arbeitsgau was headed by a German officer with a staff, HQ, and a Wachabteilung (Guard Company)numbered according to the Arbeitsgau it was located in. Around 8 battalion-sized units are known as Arbeitsgruppen consisting of 1,200 to 1,800 men each were also grouped under each Arbeitsgau. Several Arbeitsgruppen could be grouped together with a regimental-sized unit known as a Bereich, while an Arbeitsgruppe itself consisted of six company-sized formations known as Abteilungen. I have provided a list and illustration of the Arbeitsgau, the map is a earlier version bit will work for this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted September 14, 2020 I Ostpreussen 10-17,19 II Danzig-Westpreussen 20,20A,21-29 III Wartheland-West 30-39 IV Pommern-Ost 40-47 V Pommern-West 50-55 VI Mecklenburg 60-64,67 VII Schleswig-Holstein 70,71,73-77 VIII Brandenburg-Ost 80-87 IX Brandenburg-West 90-96 X Niederschlesien 100-107 XI Mittelschlesien 110-116,119 XII Oberschlesien 120-127 XIII Magdeburg-Anhalt 130-138 XIV Halle-Merseburg 140-145 XV Sachsen 150-157 XVI Westfalen-Nord 160-165 XVII Niedersachsen-Mitte 170-177 XVIII Niedersachsen-Ost 180-188 XIX Niedersachsen-West (Oldenburg) 190-198 XX Westfalen-Süd 200-209 XXI Niederrhein 210-217 XXII Hessen-Nord 220-227 XXIII Thüringen 230-238 XXIV Moselland (Mittelrhein) 240-249 XXV Hessen-Süd 250-258 XXVI Württemberg 260-267 XXVII Baden 270-279 XXVIII Franken 280-288 XXIX Bayreuth (Bayrischer Ostmark) 290-298 XXX Bayern-Hochland 300-306 XXXI Oberrhein 310-319 XXXII Saar-Pfalz (Westmark) 320-329 XXXIII Alpenland 330-335 XXXIV Oberdonau 340-348 XXXV Wien-Niederdonau 350-356 XXXVI Südmark 360-368 XXXVII Sudetenland-West 370-376 XXXVIII Böhmen-Mähren (Sudetenland-Ost) 380-386 XXXIX Süd Ostpreussen 390-393 XXXX Wartheland-Ost 400-405,408,500,501 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted September 14, 2020 The RAD Abteilung was based at a specific camp location from which its members would train, drill, practice, and take part in the various labor projects their unit was assigned to. Each camp and its Abteilung was given a number designation listed along with its higher Arbeitsgruppen number. These two numbers were often displayed together on the ubiquitous RAD Dienststellenabzeichen -an arm badge in the shape of a white downward pointing shovel blade, on a black backgroubd, with red numerals worn on the upper left shoulder of all uniforms and greatcoats worn by all personnel. A RAD Abteilungen consisted of 214 men grouped together in a six-man staff and four platoon-sized units called Züge, each of 69 men. Each Zügewas, in turn, made up of three 17-man section-sized units known as Trupps. The “front-line” rank and file members who made up the bulk of the RAD workforce was armed with spades and transported by bicycles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted September 14, 2020 When one looks at the shield you will see various numbers above another set of digits or number.. The first two are the GAU I had mentioned earlier, in this case it is 30, so Arbeitsgau XXX (30) is Bayern-Hochland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted September 14, 2020 The numbers put together are the Gruppe, 305 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted September 14, 2020 The numbers below the first set are the Abteilung or Abt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted September 14, 2020 When we have this information it becomes RAD 2/305, some prefer to say 305/2 but that is not the proper way. With this new outlook we may be able to track down the location, most Arbeitsdienstlagers had a Ehrennamen (Honor Name) that is used after the abt. location, some did not or they are lost to time. If you follow this link it has a list of the RAD Anteilung by GAU, and Abt., A word of caution, the list is outdated and lacks some pertinent information, also, the groups of Men and Women RAD / RADwJ groups are sometimes piled together in the same area of the list, only use male for male and female for female, the female designation is RADwJ or (Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend) here is the link forum.balsi.de/index.php/topic,2060.0.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted September 14, 2020 Here are the findings, Arbeitsgau XXX Bayern-Hochland, Gruppe 305 Mark Oberdorf / Kempten, Abt. 2/305 Pfronten-Ried, no honor name is mentioned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted September 14, 2020 I use / incorporate a private list and photo archives that have been compiled from many years of research on the behalf of my colleagues, myself and a few groups I moderate, I cannot at this time divulge the entire list, but , if the need arises I can assist with certain information if needed, you can PM me or just ask on this thread.. I have also enclosed a revised map with the Gau and Abt. numbers for reference, I hope I wasn't too hasty in the explanation in this thread, if there any questions feel free to ask, we'll see what we can come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted September 14, 2020 Till we meet again, G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack the Collector Posted September 14, 2020 Share #12 Posted September 14, 2020 Thank you Gwar,I have Jack Angolia's Labour book as a reference otherwise I have to do frustrating internet searches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted September 15, 2020 Labor Organizations of the Third Reich has A LOT of errors... Trust me , I know one of the advisors that helped them, there were more concerned with publishing than to have factual content.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack the Collector Posted September 15, 2020 Share #14 Posted September 15, 2020 40 minutes ago, Gwar said: Labor Organizations of the Third Reich has A LOT of errors... Trust me , I know one of the advisors that helped them, there were more concerned with publishing than to have factual content.. As is the case with all of Angolia's books but its about all we have in english print. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted September 15, 2020 Jack, You should look into the Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris series of Headgear of Hitler's Germany Vol. 5, very informative.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share #16 Posted September 15, 2020 There are plenty of period resources available for research if one is willing to take the time and translate, some if it is self explanatory though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack the Collector Posted September 15, 2020 Share #17 Posted September 15, 2020 Thanks Gwar,however I have 90% of all Bender published reference books.The fact is my forte is DRB,HJ/BDM and DRK which is where the bulk of the money I have to spend on any language reference books goes.In cases like this it is better to discuss with an informed collector like yourself and get the facts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted September 15, 2020 Nice array of collecting interests, I just received this from France about a week or so ago.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted September 16, 2020 Share #19 Posted September 16, 2020 Thanks for posting the District identification, this should be very helpful for Collector of RAD related militaria. CDub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted September 16, 2020 Thanks Gunslinger ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted September 17, 2020 Share #21 Posted September 17, 2020 Very informative and an excellent reference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share #22 Posted September 17, 2020 Thanks Proud Kraut ! G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packratt713 Posted June 25, 2021 Share #23 Posted June 25, 2021 Thanks for posting this great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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