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.

To begin the thread here is my small display of insignia. WSP sleeve eagles are tough to find.

The bullion cap eagle is a VERY heavily scuptured SIX FEATHERED example that has been debated on this forum before. I am personally convinced that it was made for an NCO (thus the 6 feathers), probably assigned to some one man post where regulations would not be subject to strict enforcement. Photo evidence shows that the WSP were VERY liberal in their interpretation of regulations, and navy guys really love the gold bullion!

The yellow eagle on "speckled" hbt is rather unique and was intended for use by nco's on the summer reefer jacket as shown in the photo.

Regards,
Bill Unland

Here is my navy pattern schirmmutze that has been used by a WSP nco. There is photographic evidence that these navy caps were used by WSP personnel as well as the vulcanfiber brimmed caps specified in regulations. This cap shows NO evidence of ever having the insignia changed, so I believe it to have been originally used by the WSP.

And here is the same cap with the above referenced bullion eagle sitting on it to show how cool it would have looked sewn down to a fashion conscious nco's cap.

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.

And lastly a scan showing the late war machine embroidered "BEVO" style nco eagle next to a metal cap eagle and the bullion cap eagle to show the relative sizes.

Sorry, but that about exhausts my WSP contribution. I hope George will repost his fine tunic, and some others might show us their officer's eagles,caps, and whatever treasures might be lurking out there.

Best regards,
Bill Unland

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

Dear Steve and Chris,

Thanks for contributing. I still kick myself in the butt for being slow on the trigger on that WSP officer's cap!

Here is my side cap, ex Patrick collection. One side looks like the mice knawed on it, but without a doubt authentic, and luckily they didn't like the taste of "yellow" so the eagle is undamaged. Note the same cloth "piping" to the top. Similar in construction to an "WSS" cap.

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

Here is a close up of the ever so hard to find yellow cap eagle. I have never been able to find a loose machine woven WSP cap eagle. In fact I bought the hat in it's poor condition to have an example of this eagle.

The flash makes it look like a flatwire, but it is a matt yellow rayon thread.

Side view..........the good side

And lastly the police acceptance stamp inside. There is no maker's mark only a size stamp.

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: