Hello,

Since we seem to have lost our WSP thread I would like to start a new one.

Clearly the WSP was a very small organization and consequently any relics from that group are rare in the real sense. For those not familiar with what they did, the WSP was responsible for the security of waterways, including inland lakes and rivers,as well as ocean harbors.

It was a dead end job, and not considered a positive as far as career was concerned. My understanding is that there were NO officer promotions in the WSP for the duration of the war. Many of the personnel were drawn from the navy pre-war. There were NO general rank WSP.


Regards,
Bill Unland

This message has been edited. Last edited by: W.Unland,

Here is one of Joe's photos, which I'm sure he won't mind my reposting, showing "big" bullion cap eagles in wear. The two guys in the middle seem to be wearing cap eagles as large as sleeve eagles, so my combination above would not be impossible.

Here is a side cap. Not very good picture. It has a 1944 date in it but is faded and hard to read in a photo.

WSP Officer's Schirmmuetze:

Unfortuantely WSP uniforms are rather scarce and about all I have are some period pictures to share. I'll have to dig out some rank and sleeve insignia to add later. Thinking back, it seems like a I only remember seeing one tunic berfore from ORPO...

That is a serious bummer another thread went missing, although it doesn't surprise me. Hopefully these thread issues will cease!

And another picture of the same officer...

Dave,

That guy's cap eagle is HUGE. Almost looks like a sleeve eagle.

Regards,
Bill Unland

I am afraid that after my computer crash I only have some poor quality backup photos remaining and none from the old lost WSP thread.

At any rate, here is the Wasserschutzpolizei NCO uniform once again.

This is all I have Paul

#2

Thanks George, the only one I have ever seen.

Paul never say "only", that is a very pretty dagger.

Regards,
Bill U

Thank you so much Bill . . . I'm likely one of many, who truly appreciate your efforts in trying to reestablish the lost thread on the WSP!

WSP Senior NCO:

WSP NCO:

WSP Offizier:

WSP w/ SS runes:

WSP Officer:

Another w/ bullion eagle:

Joe, this one should look familiar--a WSP by my favorite maker, Pekuro:

did the rank of Zugwachtmeister apply to the wsp

Dear DW,

NO. Here is a link to WSP ranks on Ernst's site: http://www.germanpolice.org/index2.htm?/organisation/branche-schupo-r-wsp.htm

Look under shoulderboards/Wasserschutzpolizei.

Regards,
Bill Unland

DW,

When you look at Ernst's webpage you should also notice that Zugwachtmeister is a position and not a specific rank. The position could be held by several ranks just like the position of der Spiess. Both are indicated by rings of tresse on the cuffs rather than rank on the shoulder boards.

I have not got much WSP its very hard to find, and those that do have it are very lucky. So here is all I have. Officers side cap.

front of side cap with other ranks eagle

inside

couple of pairs of shoulderboards

other ranks arm eagle

officers arm eagle

Here is a nice photo study of water police uniforms in wear. On the right of the picture we have a man with a hugh none regulation (or is it?) cap eagle in metal, behind him there is a man with the not seen before, water police cape in wear and on the left side is the greatcoat and the reverse of the service coat. A very nice photo.

close up of the extreamly large metal cap eagle