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).

DAF Shoulder Straps were introduced in April 1937. They were only worn by the Werkscharen, and on both shoulders.

The straps are dark blue and feature the DAF emblem and a Werkschar unit number. The emblem is made of white aluminum, except for Stammmannschaften and Stammabteilungen who wore matte gold-coloured ones. Early shoulder straps had pointed ends, but this was later changed to rounded ones.

Shoulder straps in the DAF served two functions. They indicated membership in a specific Werkschar unit, shown by the unit number, and the piping signified the wearer’s political level. However, they did not indicating rank. The Reich (national) level piping is golden-yellow, Gau (greater district) level is red, Kreis (regular district) level is black, and Ortswaltung (local administration) and Betrieb (factory) are light blue.

Administrative personnel was an exception. They wore gold-coloured piping and no unit numbers. Gold-coloured piping was also worn by the position of Ehrenwerkscharmann (Honour Werkschar Man).

A change occurred in April of 1939 after which the Werkschar number and DAF emblem was no longer worn on the Shoulder Straps.