Pin of Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig. Group of SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger

Pin of Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig.

Known Makers – Stumpf u Sohn

Rarity – Extremely Rare.

Pin of Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig - Obverse

 Pin of Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig - Reverse

SS-Rottenführer Herbert Hunger - Citation.

The Danzig Senate decided to form a Home Defence in the summer of 1939, and the responsibility for this was taken over by the Reichsführer-SS, in October 1938, the third battalion of the 4th SS Death's Head Regiment was formed in Berlin-Adlershof under SS- Obersturmbannführer Götze. In June 1939 the battalion was transported to Danzig where it was joined by the Anti Tank Demonstration Company of the Death's Head Regiments (Panzerabwehr-lehrsturm der SS- Totenkopfstandarten), which as part of the Home Defence, became known as Leiner Company (Companie "Leiner ').  From the original Home Defence Danzig, this unit, SS - Heimwehr, was raised in July 1939.  The formation was completed and its full complement consisted of 42 officers and approximately 1,500 men, two-thirds of whom were German nationals while the rest came from Danzig.

On 18th August 1939, Gauleiter Forster, presented the unit with its' company standard, which was received on the unit's behalf by SS - Obersturmbannführer Götze.  This unit, at the start of the war in September and throughout November 1939 saw action in and around Danzig, Gdingen and Westerplatte. Shortly after the unit was disbanded and its personnel distributed as cadres for the new Death's Head units and subsequently became incorporated into the Third Division of the Waffen - SS, which was known as the Totenkopf Division.

In October 1939 this commemorative pin was authorised for wear by former members of the SS - Heimwehr Danzig, and took the form of the standard of that unit which comprised of a red flag which had, at its centre, a blue circle on which was surmounted a black swastika, outlined in white, with the death's head at its apex.  Round the blue circle was a white line followed by a black border, which was encompassed by a further white line outlined in black.  The field was then quartered with black arms, on which was superimposed in the upper right, white SS Runes repeated in the lower left and in the upper left a gold ducal crown and white crosses of Danzig, which again was repeated in the lower right.  Both series of arms were outlined in white, so the resultant design produced a square lapel badge, which was used in a stick format.  This was attached to one side by a flagpole, which measured 22 mm in length.  The flag itself is 17 mm square and was produced in genuine silver.  The reverse is flat with at the centre a raised circular line over which is placed a plate that holds a vertical silver coloured safety pin type clip. On the right hand edge in raised vertical letters is GES. GESCH, to the side of this is stamped the series number of the award. On the other side, in like manner, is the maker’s mark in two lines Stumpf u Sohn, Danzig, while across the bottom is SILBER.

It is considered that it was possibly awarded to about 1700 recipients and was to be worn on either the lapel of civilian clothes or on the left breast pocket of the uniform. The highest number yet observed is 1627.

 Recipients of the Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig.

80	SS-Unterscharführer	Hans Otto Deicke	18.06.1918
	SS-Sturmann	Leopold Hermann
1449	SS-Rottenführer	Ernst  Grünheid	12.08.1917
955	SS-Unterscharführer	Herbert Hunger	22.01.1917

SS-Heimwehr Danzig ID - SS-Unterscharführer Hans Otto Deicke.

SS-Unterscharführer Hans Otto Deicke - Citation.

SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger

SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger - Commemorative Medal of 13th March 1938- Citation.

SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger - Commemorative Medal of 1st October 1938- Citation.

SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger - Driver's Service Badge - Bronze Class.

 

SS-Unterscharführer Herbert Hunger.

Friedmann Götze - SS-Obersturmbannführer with Gauleiter Forster, reviewing the “SS - Heimwehr Danzig”. 

Gauleiter Forster with the Commander Gotetze, inspecting 4 Kompanie, with it’s Commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Baier. 

Gauleiter Forster, presented the unit with its' company standard, which was received on the unit's behalf by SS-Obersturmbannführer Götze.

SS-Heimwehr Danzig Flag Honour Guard. SS-Untersturmführer Zipp, SS-Obersturmführer Hilgenstock, SS-Untersturmführer Kersten.

 

Götze Friedmann - SS-Obersturmbannführer.

3rd November 1897     27 May 1940 K.I.A.

Party Number            SS Number

Danzig Cross 1^st Class, Baltic Cross, German Horse Riders Badge, 1914 Wound Badge Black.

Hans Friedmann Götze was born in Rendsburg in Schleswig-Holstein. Between December 1937 to March 1938 he was employed as an instructor at the SS-Junkerschule Bad Tolz. Götze was the commander of the Danzig Home Defence. He received from Gauleiter Forster of Danzig on 18^th August 1939 a standard for the “SS – Heimwehr Danzig”. In October he took the command of SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3. Götze was killed during the French campaign in 1940, while leading a battalion from his regiment SSTK/I. R. 3, to rescue SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinz Bertling and was hit by a British sniper just outside Le Paradis.

Promotions:
15th March1937: SS-Hauptsturmführer

12th September1937: SS-Sturmbannführer

1st September 1939: SS-Standartenführer

Fakes of the Honour of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig.

Gau Sudetenland Commemorative Badge

Gau Sudetenland Commemorative Badge   

Instituted on 1st October 1943.

Rarity – Extremely Rare.

Known Makers – Unmarked.

This badge consists of an oval wreath measuring 55 mm high by 44 mm wide with the breadth of the oak leaves constituting the wreath being 7 mm.  The wreath is finely struck from nickel silver and has a ribbon tie at the base that measures 7 mm at its mid point.  This is split into three equal sections that are enamelled in the colours of the Sudetenland, black, red, black.  On the left, in raised numerals, '19' and on the right, '38', the date of the founding of the Gau.  From these, on either side, are six bunches of two oak leaves that meet at the apex tip to tip.  The definition on the wreath is excellent and superimposed on to it is an eagle clutching a swastika in its claws.  The eagle is three dimensional with pronounced chest and elegant head, with an extended neck.  From the body extend its legs that are fully fletched.  The wings are down swept with an angular appearance.  The upper box portion of the furled wings has three lines of individual feathers, 2, 2 and 3.  The two lower lines have 5 in each.  From the lower line emanates five lines of vertical feathers.  The eagle measures 40 mm from the bottom of the swastika to the top of the head and 28 mm across the wings.  The wreath is 3.5 mm thick and 7 mm across the eagle's chest.  The eagle is produced from tombac that is gilded.

The reverse is flat with two protrusions, through which is riveted the eagle with round headed rivets.  At the top is a hinge that takes a flat bladed pin and at the base is a 'C' type hook.  Some examples were produced with the manufacturer's logo and the silver content mark.    This Gau Badge is one of the most finely produced of the political series and also one of the rarest.  It was worn on the left breast, below the Iron Cross First Class.  One recipient of the award was SA-Stabschef Wilhelm Schepmann.

This badge also had a finely made miniature for civilian wear. The miniature is a beautifully executed medal comprising as the large award of an oval wreath with a closed winged eagle surmounting a square standing swastika. The wreath measures 22 mm by 17.5mm and is 1.5 mm thick. The Eagle measures 17 mm by 11.5 mm and is 2mm thick. It is secured to the wreath by two small rivets one on either side of the wing. The needle pin is attached to the centre of the reverse of the eagle.

Gau Sudetenland Commemorative Badge -  miniature

 

The Gauleiter of the Gau Sudetenland, Konrad Henlein, instituted this award in December 1943, thus making it the last officially recognised Gau Badge to be introduced.  The badge was to recognise the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Gau.  The exact details of the criteria for the award of this extremely rare badge are unknown, however on 18th December 1943, a regional newspaper, the Miihrischer Grenzbote printed an article with a photograph that said, “ Gau Sudetenland Honour Badge as was announced, Gauleiter Konrad Henlein presented the widow of the noted national socialist fighter of the Sudetenland, Hans Knirsch, on the l0th anniversary of his death, the first Gau Honour Badge for his historic accomplishments for the homeland.

The noted national Socialist fighter of the Sudetenland, Hans Knirsch.

Thus, the public was notified that now even the Sudeten Gau, along with other Gau des Reiches had a honourable designation which put the Sudeten Gau on a level with the rest. These decorations commemorate the bitter struggles of the movement before the transfer to power and also express the yearning of the homeland in its 20-year time of struggle. This decoration will, according to a "Schriftungsbrief des Gauleiters" be awarded for "extraordinary and dedicated effort in maintaining the German ness of our homeland during the times of the highest national crisis, and for outstanding deeds for Gau Sudetenland!" It will be awarded annually on October I. The motif of this decoration was designed by Liberec graphic artist, Franz Moser, in cooperation with an engraver from Jablonec, Otto Zappe, who transferred the design into an engraving. It depicts a golden Reich eagle surrounded by an oak wreath. The eagle carries in its talons a swastika. The oak wreath bears a banner in the traditional Sudeten colours of black/red/black and the year 1938, the fateful year for the Gau, during which, through the efforts of the Fuhrer, the Gau was returned to the Reich. The decoration depicted here is actual size and is intended to be worn on the left side of the chest.”

 

To consider the slightly complex situation of the Sudetendeutsche after the dismembering of the Austro - Hungarian Empire and the formation of esoterical countries that had no validity, as Churchill said, “how can a country survive with a name that no one can spell”?

In 1919 the DNSAP (Deutschnational socialistische Arbeiter Partei) was established in Duchcov in the Czechoslovak Republic, and in 1920 it declared its association with the National Socialist movement of Adolf Hitler. In 1933 this party was dissolved and replaced with the newly established Sudetendeutsche Heimatfront (SHF) with Konrad Henlein as its leader.

Rümmler, Leiter der Privartkanzlei in Ufch, in conversation with the Leader, Gauleiter, Konrad Henlein.

In late 1933 Der Volksdeutsche Rat was established in Berlin under the leadership of Rudolf Hess, which supported Henlein fully. In 1935 the SHF after a formal dissolution, was renamed the Sudetendeutsche Partei (SDP) and became the strongest pro – German party in the Czechoslovak Republic with the 19^th May 1935 elections. Within the framework of the Party the Freiwilliger Schutzdienst (FS) was instituted on 14^th April 1938 and in September it became together with the Physical Exercise Units, the core of the newly created Freikorps of Sudetenland.

Freikorps of Sudetenland on boarder patrol.

After the German Army’s occupation of Sudetenland in October 1938 the Freikorps was dissolved and Henlein was named a Reichskommisar für Sudetendeutschen Gebiet. At this time he and his family moved into a confiscated Jewish villa in Liberec (Reichenberg). By a decree of 30^th October 1938 by Adolf Hitler, the Gau NSDAP Sudetenland was established and the headquartered in Liberec. Henlein was named its Gauleiter, and the Stellvertreter was Karl Hermann Frank, who was later named Secretary of State and in 1943 a State Minister of the “Potektorat Böhmen und Mähren”. On 5^th November 1938 Rudolf Hess officially transferred the SDP to the NSDAP in Liberec in the presence of the “Blood Flag”. From May 1939 Henlin was also named “Reichstatthalter Ostmark und Sudetenland.

 Freikorps of Sudetenland on parade after the occupation.

 A VERY HIGH QUALITY FAKE.

NOTE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE RIVETS AS AGAINST THE ORIGINAL.

 

This is a less well produced Fake. 

 

Note the paint in-filled tie at the base of the wreath as opposed to the enamel employed in the better quality fake.

 

Danzig Cross - First Class.

Danzig Cross - First Class.

Known Makers - B.v.A. Hulse - Berlin.

Rarity – Extremely Rare

Just prior to the annexation of Danzig, Albert Forster, decreed the institution of the Danzig Cross on 31st August 1939.  Two grades of the award were authorised, namely the First and Second Class.  The award was, it was stated, "For meritorious service in the building up of the Nazi Party, within the free state of Danzig".

Albert Forster   - Gaulieter and SS-Obergruppenführer

The First Class award is a pin back, enamelled cross measuring 44 mm wide by 60 mm high.  The form of the Cross is convex, and it is in white enamel, with a gilt outline to the Cross facing.  Mounted on to the face of the Cross is the coronet of Danzig surmounting the twin crosses of the free state, all are in gilt.  The back of the Cross is plain, save for the manufacturer's mark, B.v.A. Hulse - Berlin.  The mark requires a little further explanation, as it is in fact the mark of the designer  SS- Oberführer Prof Benno von Arent, who was on the Stab RF SS, which was represented by the initials and the manufacturer. The leading edge of the upper arm of the Cross has a small eyelet, through which a rivet protrudes from the reverse of the coronet.  This rivet has a circular washer, which is riveted over, and retains the coronet to the upper part of the arm.  The centre or apex of the four arms that produce the Cross is also drilled, to allow a similar rivet from the reverse of the centre of the lower cross of the arms of Danzig, to protrude through the body of the white enamelled Cross.  This is retained in a similar manner as to the rivet behind the coronet.  Approximately 3 mm beneath the eyelet at the upper arm of the Cross is the body of a hinge that retains the hinge pin.  This is constructed in what is commonly known as the barrel hinge type, mounted on a small square box.  The pin is attached to the central pivot of the barrel and is approximately 3 mm wide by 2 mm thick and it is 43 mm long.  It is a continuous piece of metal, which is attached and turned over at the hinge giving it the impression of a walking stick shape.  The catch at the base, which is usually placed just above the maker's logo, is 1 mm thick, round wire that is soldered directly on to the back of the Cross.

The First Class Cross is an extremely rare decoration.  A total of only 88 awards were made, the majority of which were conferred on 24th October 1939, the major presentation date decreed since the inception of the award two months previously.  It is not known if it was a requisite that the Danzig Cross – Second Class had to be awarded before the First Class could be conferred.  In the case of SS - Oberführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei Hans Griep his file shows that he was awarded both classes.

Griep Hans - SS - Oberführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei

Griep Hans - SS - Oberführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei, SS Soldbuck

Griepp’s Awards:

1914 Iron Cross Second Class

1914 Iron Cross First Class

1914 Wound Badge Black Class

1914-18 Cross of Honour Combatants

Austro-Hungarian Commemorative War Medal

Danzig Police Long Service Cross in Silver

Danzig Police Long Service Cross in Gold

Danzig Cross Second Class

Danzig Cross First Class

1939 Iron Cross Second Class Clasp

1939 Iron Cross First Class Clasp

Eastern Peoples’ Bravery Medal in Silver Second Class

Eastern Peoples’ Bravery Medal in Silver First Class

Infantry Storm Badge in Silver

Anti-Partisan badge in Silver

Griep Hans - SS - Oberführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei with Hitler. The Danzig Cross 1 st class can be seen on his left breast.

A number of restrikes of the Danzig Cross First Class were produced in Germany during the early 1960's it is possible that there has been more resent strikes. The award was not prohibeted by the German Federal Government due to the fact that it was Polish. Poland likewise did not perscribe it either. Thus the original maker could produce the piece if needed. These have a plain, unmarked reverse and somewhat different pin and hinge construction to that described above easily identifies these. 

Recipients of the Danzig Cross First Class.

 

Baier	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 5./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Bernhard Greise	SS–Standartenführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei	CO of 323rd Police Battalion.
Braun	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 3./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Bredemeier	SS-Obersturmbannführer	Kdr 2./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Buschard	SS-Untersturmführer	2. Verwaltungsoffizier SS Heimwehr Danzig
Dr Hermann Behrends.	SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei
Dr Kamholz	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Medical/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Dr Wertschitzsky	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Medical/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Dr. Fritz Todt	Minister of Armaments and Munitions	Head of the Works and Buildings of the Third Reich
Erich Hilgenfeldt	SS-Gruppenführer	Chief of the Office of Peoples Welfare.
Erich Koch	Gauleiter, Ostpreußen	Reichskommissar für die Ukraine
Erich von dem Bach Zelewski	SS-Obergruppenführer	Head of Anti-Partisan Warfare from 1942
Faltin	SS-Untersturmführer	Ordonnazoffizieer SS Heimwehr Danzig
Franz Xaver Schwarz.	Reichsschatzmeister	Treasurer of the NSDAP.
G.Dechtling	SS-Standartenführer
Hagen	SS-Obersturmführer	1. Verwaltungsoffizier SS Heimwehr Danzig
Hans Götze	SS-Obersturmbannführer	Kdr SS Heimwehr Danzig
Hartrampf	SS-Untersturmführer	Stab SS Heimwehr Danzig
Hermann Göring	Reichsmarschall	Head of the Luftwaffe
K. Leiner	SS-Sturmbannführer
Karl Sigismund Litzmann	SA-Obergruppenführer	Governor General of Estonia
Knaak	SS-Untersturmführer	Kdr Pioner Zug/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Leiner	SS-Obersturmführer	Kdr 15. (Pak)/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Ludolf von Alvensleben	Gruppenführer und Generalleuutnant der Polizei
Max Simon	SS-Gruppenführer	Commander of the X111 S.S. Army Corps
Prof. Benno von Arent	SS-Oberführer	Reich stage designer. And medal designer
Reinhard Heydrich	SS-Obergruppenführer	Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia
Schneider	SS-Obersturmführer	Kdr Transport Kie/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Schulz	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 13./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Sparmann	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Chef d. Stab SS Heimwehr Danzig
Steiner	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 14. (Pak)/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Stieglitz	SS-Untersturmführer	Kdr Nacht. Zug/SS Heimwehr Danzig
Theodor Eicke	SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS
Thier	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 1./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Urbanitz	SS-Hauptsturmführer	Kdr 4./SS Heimwehr Danzig
Werner Lorenz	SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei
Westermann	SS-Obersturmführer	Adjutant SS Heimwehr Danzig

Ludolf von Alvensleben  - SS-Standartenführer.

9 August 1899

Party Number 1313391  SS Number 52195

1914 Iron Cross Second Class, 1939 Iron Cross Second Class bar, War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords, Danzig Cross 1^St class, Baltic Cross 1^St class, Infantry Assault Badge,1939 Wound Badge Black Class,  SS Honour Ring, SS Honour Sword

Erich Hilgenfeldt  - SS-Gruppenführer

2 July 1897 - 1945 ?

Party Number 143642  SS Number 289225

Danzig Cross 1st Class, SS Honour Ring, SS Honour Sword

He was born in Heinitz and saw service in the First World War.  Afterwards he became an economics statistician.  In 1929 he joined the NSDAP and subsequently headed the party-run annual winter relief programme and became chief of the office of peoples welfare and member of the Reichstag.

This type is concidered to be the restrike. It is not to be graded as a fake.

 

Danzig Cross 1st Class Fake.

 

Danzig Cross 1st Class - Obverse Fake.

 

 

Danzig Cross 1st Class - Reverse Fake.