History

Prior to the Second World War, the German Foreign Ministry was heavily involved in the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland. During the war, some conquered territory, especially in Poland, was incorporated into the German Reich, while other territory was merely occupied. These countries, while officially still independent, were in reality administered by German officials, and in some cases also German-approved puppet governments.

The General Government was the name given to the part of German-occupied Poland that wasn’t incorporated into the territory of the German Reich. It was established after the successful attack on Poland that inaugurated the Second World War. Former Bavarian Minister of Justice, Reichsleiter Hans Frank, was appointed Governor General on October 26, 1939. The General Government was administered as a separate entity by the German occupants, creating the need for specific uniforms and insignia to be worn by the administrators.

The Baudienst (Construction Service) was established on the order of Governor General Frank on December 12, 1940. It was tasked with clearing and repairing the damage caused by the German invasion. The Baudienst was restricted to the General Government. It was loosely modelled on the National Labour Service (RAD) and made up of Polish citizens between the ages of 18 and 65, who had to serve a compulsory work term.

Uniforms were the same as those of the Diplomatic Corps and Foreign Office, but with small differences. With few exceptions, they are field-grey instead of navy blue. Those officials that were assigned to the General Government for less than half a year retained the navy blue uniforms. At an unknown date, the uniforms of those officials under direct control of the Governor General were changed from field-grey to brown.

The rank/paygroup insignia are the same as used by the Diplomatic Corps, except all embroidery is gold-coloured. Please consult the corresponding section for more information.

The greatcoat is in the same style as the tunic. It is double-breasted with two rows of buttons. The buttons feature the national eagle emblem on top of a wreath of oak leaves. There are no breast pockets, just slash hip pockets with unbuttoned straight flaps. Initially, the greatcoat had turn-back cuffs, but later this was changed to no cuffs at all.

If collar piping was applicable it was golden-yellow for ministry members and yellow for officials directly assigned to the General Government. All insignia and buttons are gold-coloured. Senior officials had dark brown velvet lapel facings. No shoulder boards or aiguillettes were worn on the greatcoat.