History

The Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was created after the First World War in 1920 by combining the formerly independent state railways of the abolished German Empire into a national organisation. Under NSDAP rule, the German state railway system was reorganised in the 1930s to better meet the needs of the economy and to prepare for war, eventually supplying the front lines with soldiers and supplies. The Reichsbahn also had an infamous role to play in the Holocaust, transporting Jews and other “undesirables” to concentration and extermination camps.

The Bahnschutzpolizei (railway protection police) was founded in 1939 as a merger of the Bahnpolizei (railway police) and the Reichsbahnschutz (railway protection force), the latter being regular railway employees that, beyond their normal functions, additionally served as railway security personnel.
The Bahnschutzpolizei as a railway sub-organisation was made up of policemen that were employed by the Reichsbahn rather than the German police force. Their task was to ensure railway safety as well as preventing railway-related espionage and sabotage. During the war, most members of the Bahnschutzpolizei served in the occupied Eastern European territories.

After the establishment of the Bahnschutzpolizei in 1939, members used the greatcoats that had formerly been worn by the Bahnpolizei. A new greatcoat specifically made for the Bahnschutzpolizei was introduced in 1941. The colour was changed from dark blue to a lighter shade of blue, officially known as “Horizontblau” (horizon blue). The coat is double-breasted with two rows of six buttons each. It features two concealed slash side pockets with rounded flaps. Leader greatcoats have a slit in the left pocket for the dagger hangers. There are no outer breast pockets, but an interior breast pocket on the left side. The collar is in a slightly darker blue than the rest of the coat. It features turn-up cuffs, as well as a back slit that can be closed with three black horn buttons. The coat reaches 15cm below the knee and 30cm above the ground.