This post is dedicated to a friend of the collection Louise Ockendon as today is her Birthday. Wishing you well on this special day from everyone at KB41 Collection.
For other followers of the collection, there is a collaboration with Louise that will be coming very soon, showing women in German History from the collection so keep your eyes peeled for this !
The group photograph here shows women of the state organisation known as the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD). The women here would belong to the female branch, known as Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend (Reich Labour Service for Female Youth). This branch was more commonly known by its acronym as RAD/wj. The women seen here would assumed to be entry level ranks into the RAD/wj of Arbeitsmaiden's (Worker/Labour Girls).
The Arbeitsmaiden's are seen wearing dress shirts with skirts some of the Abreitsmaidens wear tights which is finished with black shoes in wear. Hair tied up, like other female roles in organisations within the Third Reich was not only for aesthetic reasons but also practicalities when performing manual work or machine operations. This is standard service dress for women of the RAD/wj when not performing agricultural or other manual labour. These Arbeitsmaiden's would be aged between 17 and 25 as this was the mandatory age for service of women to the RAD/wj. The Arbeitsmaiden's seen here would form friendships, if they were not familiar with each other from life within the region already, they would quickly become accustomed with one another as they performed work for the RAD/wj.
The initial identification of these women to the RAD/wj at first glance may appear to be difficult however there is one piece in wear that denotes them to this branch of the state organisation. The RAD/wj Broach. This Broach being a circular pin (sometimes oval shaped) was worn in the middle of the collar that is detailed with a swastika in the centre and a blade of wheat either side. This symbol being similar to the male branch of the RAD, the RAD/m which also features a swastika with blades of wheat either side, the key difference being that the RAD/m version was in the centre of a shovel that the Arbeitsmen would use for work but also for military drills. The Arbeitsmaidens also wore jackets (not seen in wear here) that would enable identification of what Arbeitsgau (Work Group) they belonged to, in addition to their rank.
The Arbeitsmaiden's seen here posing outside a building of their Lager (Camp) for the photograph in happy spirits. The bottom left and right corners denote information attached to those Arbeitsmaiden's in the photograph. The bottom left reads "R.A D Nr. 7 Lager Velden/V 3/136". This refering to Camp number 7 with the Arbeitsgau these RAD/wj Arbeitsmaidens being "Velden/V 3/136", Velden or Velden am Wörther See is region in South Austria. The Arbeitsgau number of the Arbeitsmaidens being 3/136. The information seen in the bottom right reads "Winterbelegschaft
1939-40", this translating as Winter Work Force 1939-1940. This giving a date to the period in which the Arbeitsmaiden's seen here were in service from.
This period being at the beginning of the war suggests work and activities undertaken by the Arbeitsmaiden's would be administrative duties, domestic and some gardening duties with a possible light agricultural working. Women of the RAD/wj, much like other roles filled by women of the Third Reich was in supportive roles which required light and small operational activities to be conducted. This can be seen even in a military setting (To which some RAD/wj would be later drafted to as more aid was required) to roles of auxiliary's within the Wehrmacht. Women played a vital role that in some military settings which allowed for positions by men to be replaced by able Women, this ultimately supporting the war effort for Germany and allowing more men to be placed in combat roles within the Wehrmacht.
The RAD/wj Arbeitsmaidens seen here posing for this warm photograph, whos partners would likely be proudly serving their country too, whether this be as a Arbeitsmann in the RAD/m, serving in the Wehrmacht, Waffen SS or Civil Service role, the Arbeitsmaidens would also have a sense of pride knowing they are serving their country too. No doubt thinking of their partners whilst they are away in service, this common feeling was something women of such roles would use to support and raise each other spirits and morale in hard times when working.. Just like their male counterparts work in the RAD/wj and other responsibilities could affect their spirits and morale. Simple things like photographs being taken would enable reflection and memories to be made with mutual Arbeitsmaidens within their Arbeitsgau that would not only strengthen them as a unit but also form friendships that would also allow for social activities outside of RAD/wj service and support networks to be formed.
This is a crisp photo showing a warm group posing for a photograph at rest from duties, in their Lager during the winter of 1939-40. Where the war had only just began and many would possibly and tragically see losses with their families, their lives transformed by this and the later call for more help in the war effort would see these women be forced into other intense roles as the war escalated and the war began to tip towards defeat. This memory of happier times would be reflected upon and give these Arbeitsmaidens a sense of motivation that happier times would be ahead.