Uniform ID question

[john_g_kearney]

Thanks for that. I thought the young man was wearing an RAD uniform too, though there are no arm badges on the greatcoat.

John.

[von thoma]

What kind of Occupied Eastern Territories uniform is that ?
Thank you

[John G.]

I believe it's a Postschutz uniform, for eastern territories. High rank but don't know the rank structure for Reichspost.
John G.

[HPL2008]

He is either with the Postschutz or the Dienstpost. (Hard to tell in a black-and-white photograph. Postschutz had orange collar patch piping and shoulder board underlays; Dienstpost had green.)

Officially, the sleeve eagle was for Postschutz only, but it was worn at least by some Dienstpost personnel as well, so that's not a 100% way to be sure.

His rank is Bezirksführer (if he is with the Postschutz) or Postamtmann (if Dienstpost). Insignia are of the type worn by the Postschutz from 1940 to 1942 and by the Dienstpost from 1940 to 1945.

[von thoma]

Very interesting
Thanks to both

[askropp]

What kind of officer is the guy with the Edelweiß?

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[OdoHerr]

May be a member of the Zoll Grenz Schutz (the Customs)
OdoHerr

[HPL2008]

Yes, he's a custons official. Collar patches are for the ranks of Bezirkszollkommissar/Oberzollinspektor/Regierungsassessor and Zollamtmann (we'd need to see the shoulder boards to tell which one he is).

[HPL2008]

Yes, he's a customs official. Collar patches are for the ranks of Bezirkszollkommissar/Oberzollinspektor/Regierungsassessor and Zollamtmann (we'd need to see the shoulder boards to tell which one he is).

[Kaikarden]

Would anyone be able to provide me with more details about these photographs please? Two are marked on the back "Ciężkowice" in the Krakow region, but there are two places with that name. I don't have a date other than it must be between September 1939 and December 1944. Any details of ranks, units, personal equipment etc much appreciated.

Apologies for the image quality, it was the best I could get.

[HPL2008]

There's not much one can tell from these photos. All of the men in uniform are army soldiers in field uniforms. In the first photo is an NCO, in the second one a private and in the third one and NCO and a private.

[von thoma]

Strange pictures.

I guess are civilian polish ( old men ) by unknown reason dressing captured German uniforms
Some of them lack their respective shoulder straps, side caps has a strange appearance even for a M34,
poorly positioned decorations. I think they are not true german soldiers

[Kaikarden]

Thanks for the replies. I believe they are Gendarmes, not soldiers, if that helps

[HPL2008]

Strange pictures.

I guess are civilian polish ( old men ) by unknown reason dressing captured German uniforms
Some of them lack their respective shoulder straps, side caps has a strange appearance even for a M34,
poorly positioned decorations. I think they are not true german soldiers

Sorry, but absolutely nothing in these photographs indicates that they are Poles modelling German uniforms. The age of the men in the third photographs is not unusual, either. There are countless wartime photographs of elderly reservists on on occupation duty.

I believe they are Gendarmes, not soldiers, if that helps

No, they aren't. Those are definitely army uniforms.

(Police-model field blouses were different from the army model seen here, the police had sleeve- instead of breast eagles, did not use the collar braid for NCOs etc.)

[Kaikarden]

Thanks again. I've since been told they would be "rural gendarmerie", would this make a difference?