History

The German Reichspost (national postal service) was founded as a result of the transition from empire to Weimar Republic after the First World War. During the time of the empire, several German states had had their own postal service, but during the time of the Weimar Republic, the postal service was transformed into a unified, national, government-run operation. As such, during the time of the Third Reich, the postal service conformed with the NSDAP ideology and was used to further it. The Reichspost incorporated the postal services of annexed territories (i.e. Austria, Sudetenland) as well as conquered territories (i.e. Poland).

The Postschutz (postal service protection) was a paramilitary organisation tasked with protecting postal buildings and property. It was established in March of 1933. During the war, postal protection personnel stationed outside of the German borders in occupied territories were referred to as Deutsche Dienstpost.

Just like the Reichspost, the Postschutz used orange piping and orange cloth underlay for their garments and insignia. Unlike the Reichspost, however, the Postschutz uniform colour was field-grey. This was changed to brown in 1941.
Members of the Deutsche Dienstpost used the same uniforms and insignia as the Postschutz, but with green piping and cloth underlay.

In March of 1942, the Postschutz came under control of the Allgemeine SS and shortly after under control of the Waffen-SS. It was henceforth known as SS-Postschutz.

Feldpost (field mail) is the term for all mail sent to and from soldiers, either private letters for individuals or orders sent from one unit or office to another. Feldpost was entirely controlled by the German Wehrmacht (armed forces) and not a part of the regular Reichspost.

All Postschutz collar tabs are field-grey with orange piping for those deployed within the German borders and dark green piping for those deployed outside the German borders. Rank pips are in the shape of four-sided silver-coloured stars.

The collar tabs are as follows:
Oberführer collar tabs feature a metal cypher in the form of two silver-coloured oak leaves with acorns.
Bezirksführer collar tabs feature a metal cypher in the form of a silver-coloured oak leaf with acorns.
Abschnittsführer collar tabs feature four rank pips.
Abteilungshauptführer collar tabs feature three rank pips and a silver-coloured bar.
Abteilungsführer collar tabs feature three rank pips.
Zughauptführer collar tabs feature two rank pips and a silver-coloured bar.
Zugführer collar tabs feature two rank pips.
Gruppenhauptführer collar tabs feature one rank pip and a silver-coloured bar.
Gruppenführer collar tabs feature one rank pip.
Truppführer collar tabs feature two silver-coloured bars.
Rottenführer collar tabs feature one silver-coloured bar.
Postschutzmann collar tabs don’t feature any pips or bars.