History

Following the First World War, the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) was threatened in its existence by the Treaty of Versailles, since the organisation was mainly focused on preparing its members for war and military-related medical service. This resulted in the DRK switching focus to social welfare activities during the time of the Weimar Republic.

The stipulations enforced by the Treaty of Versailles were declared null and void following the NSDAP’s consolidation of power in 1933. The new Reich Minister of the Interior, Wilhelm Frick, an NSDAP member, ensured that the DRK would be ready to support all of the Third Reich’s future military affairs and political ideologies. In 1938, the DRK was merged with the Ministry of the Interior’s Social Welfare Organisation, officially becoming an organisation under NSDAP oversight. The DRK also had ties to the SS, mainly due to high-ranking medical professionals serving in both organisations simultaneously.

The design of the Third Reich DRK uniforms was initially based upon the uniforms used during the First World War and the Weimar Republic, but substantial uniform changes were implemented in September 1935.

The DRK Tunic is composed of grey wool, with lighter coloured grey wool utilized for the tunic’s collar. It also features four patch style pockets, two at breast level and two at hip level. These pockets each have a central pleat and are closed by a buttoned scalloped flap. The tunic is closed by five silver-coloured buttons along the front seam and a sixth hidden button at the lapel.

There is a slash at the back of the tunic, and the rear of each sleeve bottom has a slash closed by a button.

The specialty insignia and the longevity stripes were worn on the left sleeve.

The right sleeve features the Red Cross pattern national emblem insignia. There are two versions of the national emblem insignia worn on these tunics. The first version was introduced in 1935 for wear by volunteer personnel. This version has a simple machine-woven national emblem eagle on a grey shield backing. The second version was instituted in 1938, and it was worn by all Red Cross personnel. This second version features the grey national emblem eagle in a triangle cloth backing and an inscription below the eagle detailing the wearer’s the service location.