History

The Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was created after the First World War in 1920 by combining the formerly independent state railways of the abolished German Empire into a national organisation. Under NSDAP rule, the German state railway system was reorganised in the 1930s to better meet the needs of the economy and to prepare for war, eventually supplying the front lines with soldiers and supplies. The Reichsbahn also had an infamous role to play in the Holocaust, transporting Jews and other “undesirables” to concentration and extermination camps.

The Bahnschutzpolizei (railway protection police) was founded in 1939 as a merger of the Bahnpolizei (railway police) and the Reichsbahnschutz (railway protection force), the latter being regular railway employees that, beyond their normal functions, additionally served as railway security personnel.
The Bahnschutzpolizei as a railway sub-organisation was made up of policemen that were employed by the Reichsbahn rather than the German police force. Their task was to ensure railway safety as well as preventing railway-related espionage and sabotage. During the war, most members of the Bahnschutzpolizei served in the occupied Eastern European territories.

The Bahnschutzpolizei trade insignia were introduced in early 1941. They were used to indicate a specialty function. There were 15 different ones, and they were worn on the lower right sleeve. The insignia are silver or white on a light blue (officially “Horizontblau”, horizon blue) round cloth backing.

The Medical Personnel trade insignia features a “life” rune which is in white and machine-embroidered for enlisted ranks and in silver and hand-embroidered for Officers. The insignia for qualified doctors differs from all other trade insignia in that it’s oval in shape and has a dark blue backing.