HISTORY of the Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie

Perhaps less well known than the Heer Feldgendarmerie, the Feldgendarmerie of the Waffen-SS was a much smaller unit than its Wehrmacht counterpart, but its roles fulfilled identical purposes.  Like the Wehrmacht, the SS Feldgendarme was more than likely a former civil policeman or an experienced combat NCO with around 4 years of service.

Each field division of the Waffen-SS had its own Feldgendarmerie unit. They were used primarily to maintain order, discipline  and security within their own lines, and therefore, their areas of responsibility were more restricted than those of the Heer Feldgendarmerie units.  The Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie focused on "taking care of their own", and left most rear-line issues to the Heer Feldgendarmes or "Kettenhunde".

Heer Feldgendarmes came to be called "Kettenhunde" (Chained Dogs.. due to their Gorget that they wore on duty) by the common soldier, who regarded them with fear. Yet the Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie had a more sinister nickname: "Kopfjaeger" or "Head Hunters". The name was an obvious referral to the SS "Totenkopf" (Death's Head) skull emblem embroidered on the front of their caps.   But its deeper meaning lay in its reference to their severe reputation as efficient military policeman and strict enforcers of military law.

Traffic control, maintaining military order and discipline, collection and escorting of prisoners of war, collection and redirection of stragglers, prevention of looting, supervision and control of the civilian populace in occupied areas, disarming civilians, checking captured enemy soldiers for documents, maps or other useful information, checking papers of soldiers on leave or in transit, collection of enemy propaganda leaflets and prevention of distribution of such material, searching for shot-down enemy fliers, providing street patrols in occupied areas, prevention of sabotage, control of evacuees during retreats, duties of a security nature in cooperation with the Geheime Feldpolizei (counter espionage, apprehending deserters, border control, anti-partisan duties)

The Feldgendarmerie's authority allowed them to pass through secured areas, roadblocks, guard posts, etc, and to conduct searches of both personnel and property wherever deemed necessary, and in doing so they could commandeer assistance from other military personnel. In the event of dispute, and Feldgendarme held superiority over any other soldier of similar rank from any other branch of service.

Information Taken from LAH Unit Handbook, and Handbook of the SS-Feldgendarmerietrupp of the LAH Reenactment Unit

Official Name:

  1.Pz.Div.LSSAH FG Trupp C. SS-Feldgendarmerie Komp. der LAH

Feldpostnummer: 21 825 C

This is the actual historically correct FP Nr., denoting "Ordnungsdienst" or the Divisional Services section, attached to the LSSAH Stab (FP Nr. 21 825A)

The LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie have been created by the Unit Kommandeur as a tool to insure all the officers and enlisted men follow the rules laid out in the unit handbook.  Each geographic location will have a Feldgendarmerie Team to monitor the units activities and progress and to assist the Senior LAH officer in attendance with the help needed to keep the LAH well organized and looking good.

All LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie have been selected by the Unit Kommandeur.   They are answerable only to him.  In all non-tactical matters, they have the same authority as the Unit Kommandeur.  They have no responsibility or authority outside the LAH and may not be utilized by any other unit or event sponsor without the approval of the LAH Unit Commander.  These men are not runners, parking lot attendants, or gate keepers.  They are not a taxi service to and from camp.

At all events, the LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie will consult with the senior LAH infantry officer in attendance as the the unit's needs.  When the Feldgendarmerie duties pertaining to administration and inspection have been completed, they may place themselves at the senior infantry officer's disposal for the tactical scenario.

Authority and Chain of Command

The Feldgendarmerie are police troops, tactically organized and subordinated to the Regimental Kommandeur, acting on his authority. No LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie will ever take command of any infantry at any time.  However, they may utilize LAH members as required to complete administrative duties,, or to defend a tactically important area such as the LAH camp, a bridge, crossroads, etc.  if this becomes necessary, the Feldgendarmerie will locate the nearest LAH NCO or officer and make him aware of the situation.  At that point, the infantry will proceed with the task and the Feldgendarmerie will act as support for them.

• As LAH SS-FG, your authority comes directly from the Unit Kommandeur.
• You have unlimited authority to conduct your duties and carry out your orders.
• You have no tactical authority in the field unless they conflict with you orders.
• The direct chain of command is Unit CO, Chef der FG, Senior LAH Officer commanding the event.
• All LAH-SS FG have equal authority, regardless of rank, in the execution of their duties over the LAH.

Duties and Functions

Men of the LAH SS-Feldgendarmerietrupp should always work in pairs, which not only enhances the impression, but also improves your effectiveness on duty, However, due to the nature of the hobby of reenacting, not all FG members will be able to attend the same events.  Therefore, always be prepared to work alone, or with FG men from other parts of the country, with whom you may not be familiar with.

TACTICAL/COMBAT:

LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie tactical duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Escort, guard, protect and defend the LAH regimental Stab and Senior Officers, whether in stationary posting or mobile in the field.
• Assist Regimental Stab or the senior event officer with communications, command and control functions of the LAH in the field...including acting as runners.
• Establish "tactical" (not POV) vehicle parking areas and security in camp or barracks area.
• Follow specific instructions from the unit Kommandeur.
• Confer with senior LAH infantry officer as to his needs.
• Provide camp/barracks security as needed.
• Direct road movements of the LAH to tactical area, including posting of signs and route markers.
• Collect, search, interrogate and guard "Kreigsgefangenen" ((prisoners of war), remove them from the combat area and deliver them to the Reg. HQ for disposition.
• Maintain rally points for LAH casualties and inform them of the locations of their zugs or any changes in orders or scenarios.
• Secure all roads, bridges, or structures as directed by the senior LAH infantry officer.
• Conduct reconnaissance at request of the senior LAH infantry officer.
• Be available to assist any and all injured reenactors.

NON-TACTICAL/CAMP

LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie administrative duties include, but are not limited to:

• As directed by Reg.Stab or the senior LAH event officer, act as liaison with sponsoring unit or military post authorities to assure communication of event rules and policies, assist with problems if required.
• Follow all specific instructions from the Unit Kommandeur.
• Provide LAH barracks and camp security.
• Post signs and direct all LAH men to unit area.
• Conduct ongoing random authenticity and document checks.(passes, soldbuchs, meal tickets, event registration)
• Provide registration and administration for LAH as needed, account for all LAH men in attendance at an event. Provide direction and information to LAH men on arrival.
• Enforce all safety and conduct guidelines.

Procedures for LAH SS-Feldgendarmerie actions on rule enforcement for authenticity or conduct:

• If the problem is minor, notify the offender and the senior LAH man. Let the senior man solve the problem. Record the offender, offense, senior man, and actions taken in the permanent log.
• If the problem is serious, notify the offender, the senior LAH man, and the event host if necessary.  If the offender must be removed, the senior LAH man at the event will take care of it. You may assist at his request.  All senior officers, offenders, and participants must be recorded in your permanent log.  The Unit Kommandeur will be notified as soon as possible.

M-36, M-40 or M-43 Tunic (Wool or approved HBT material) and Trousers with Orange Waffenfarbe

• All basic LAH required equipment and accessories. (See Die SS-Panzergrenadiere for equipment)

• Additional FG equipment required:

1. Cuff Title "SS-Feldgendarmerie"

2. FG Ringkragen/Gorget

3. FG Orange colored Piping "Waffenfarbe" on shoulder boards

4. Pistol and Holster

Luger P08 and hard shell holster

The 1 lb./14 oz. handgun was first issued in WWI and retained during the Wehrmacht's expansion due to weapons shortages.  The P08 chambered a 9mm round from a detachable 8 round magazine.  The system of operation revolved around a recoil and toggle joint.  Although preferred by officers, the P08 did not prove to be reliable under combat conditions and was replaced by the Walther P38.  The overall length of the barrel is 4 1/2 inches, and weighs 2 pounds.  It's effective combat range is around 32 yards.

Walther Pistole, Model 1938 (P38)

           Walther P38 shown with soft and hard shell holster               

In 1938, the Wehrmacht had begun to adopt the P38 as a replacement to the P08.  It weighs 2 lbs./1.5 oz. and has a 8 round detachable magazine.    Double action capability is due to its recoil operating system.  The P38 was well accepted by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS due to its ability to operate in all types of adverse conditions.  The P38 chambered a 9mm round.  The overall length of the barrel is 4 3/4 inches.  It's overall effective range was comparable to the P08.

Walther PP/PPK (Polizei Pistole,Polizei Pistole Kurz)

Walther  PP with holster 

The compact pistol that was used by officers and armored crews was the Walther PP.  It was produced in 7.65mm and 9mm caliber's.  It was very compact in size and shape and featured a 3.9 inch barrel and a eight round magazine in the grip.  Its effective combat range was around 32 yards.  Its small size and the ease at which it could be concealed made it also popular with security personnel and police.  The PPK was slightly smaller with an overall barrel length of 3.4 inches, and a magazine capacity of 7 rounds, apart from being slightly smaller, it was very similar to the PP. 

5. Whistle and Lanyard                                                                  

6. Map/Dispatch Case

7. Compass

8. Flashlight (Handheld and or pocket lamp)

9. Traffic Wand "Winkerkelle"

• Optional Equipment: (Strongly recommended)

1. Motorcyclists' Rubber Coat

2. Driving Goggles

3. 6x30 Binoculars

4. Extra FG Armbands to be loaned to FG auxiliaries.

• Mandatory Paperwork and Supplies:

1. FG Ausweis

• Your FG identification card, that states that you are a Feldgendarme and have all authority over all non-tactical decisions, and that you are only answerable to the Reg.Kommandeur.

2. FG Tagebuch (Journal)

• To enhance the authenticity of the LAH SS-FG impression, reproduction copies of the Tagebuch have been obtained and will be issued to each Feldgendarme.  As per regulations, the Tagebuch is to be carried at all times in the right breast pocket of the uniform tunic.

3. Unit Roster (updated)

4. Authenticity Citation Forms

• An extremely important role of the LAH SS-FG is assisting the Reg.Stab by acting as the eyes of the unit to help maintain the authenticity and quality of LAH impressions.  Attention to detail is what has made the LAH a premiere unit among the hobby of WWII reenacting.  To help underscore the importance of historical accuracy as the unit grows, the Chef der FG and the Unit CO have formalized this Authenticity Violation Form as a way to grab the offender's attention and to assure that the problems are noted and corrected.

5. Clipboard and Personal Liste Sheets

• Every LAH SS-FG should be prepared to take down the names, Kompanie and mileage of all LAH men attending an event, to be turned in to Reg.Stab for attendance verification.

6. Tarnsoldbuch  (if and when directed by LAH HQ)

• Fake Soldbuch that would be used for identification purposes if you were captured. You threw away your SS soldbuch and used your fake one.

7. Befehlsformulare Forms

• This small form measures 5½ inches wide by 8½ inches long, and is merely a facsimile of a WWII German message sheet.  The word "Meldung" is German for "message" and the word "Befel"is German for "order". Every LAH FG should carry a few of these forms in his dispatch case, to be used if you are ordered to act as a runner for senior officers and must hand-carry a written message or directive.  The top of the form also bears the words "Nicht in Feindeshande fallen lassen" which translates as "Do not allow to fall into enemy hands!"

For more info on Heer and Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie check out my friend's site out west. FG Truppe 200. (Mike Dunn) the Chain Dog above in the Motorcyclist Overcoat, he also provided the Gorget, Traffic wand and motorcyclist overcoat. Danke Bis Spater