History

Following the First World War, the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) was threatened in its existence by the Treaty of Versailles, since the organisation was mainly focused on preparing its members for war and military-related medical service. This resulted in the DRK switching focus to social welfare activities during the time of the Weimar Republic.

The stipulations enforced by the Treaty of Versailles were declared null and void following the NSDAP’s consolidation of power in 1933. The new Reich Minister of the Interior, Wilhelm Frick, an NSDAP member, ensured that the DRK would be ready to support all of the Third Reich’s future military affairs and political ideologies. In 1938, the DRK was merged with the Ministry of the Interior’s Social Welfare Organisation, officially becoming an organisation under NSDAP oversight. The DRK also had ties to the SS, mainly due to high-ranking medical professionals serving in both organisations simultaneously.

The DRK Standard Bearer Gorget is crescent-shaped and made of aluminum with a raised outer rim. It measures approximately 165x108mm.

The gorget features a 2nd pattern DRK eagle emblem inside an open oakleaf wreath superimposed on two flags on each side. The raised boss holding the chain are gold-coloured. The reverse generally features a lining of brown wool and two hooks.

Gorgets were only worn when the wearer was performing their specialty task.