History

The DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront = German Labour Front) was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labour to serve the interests of the NSDAP. The DAF leader was Reichsleiter Robert Ley.

The Werkscharen (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organisation, formed in 1934. They were trained and organised as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active Werkschar units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-coloured insignia, while administrators wore gold-coloured insignia. Even though Werkscharen were not affiliated with the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.
Some companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed Werkschutz (Factory Protection), and later Werksicherheitsdienst (Factory Security Service).

The DAF Flag was introduced as early as 1934. It was flown by all DAF units with over 200 members. The flag is in the form of a red rectangle with the DAF emblem inside a white circle, a black swastika inside a black cogwheel with 14 cogs.

The flag usually has a patch in the upper left corner depicting district, local, or factory level. The Kreiswaltung (district administration) patch is brown with a black border and the district name in white Gothic letters. The Ortswaltung (local administration) patch is light brown with a light blue border and the local administration name in white Gothic letters. The Fabrik (factory) patch is similar to the Ortswaltung one, but with the factory number in white Arabic numerals below the local administration’s name.

In 1935, the flag’s design was slightly altered when the white circle around the DAF emblem was omitted. In 1937, silver fringe was added on three sides of the flag.