Ein Frohes Neues Jahr (A Happy New Year) to all our followers. This is our last post of 2023.
Its been a tough year for us but we have tried our best to continue to share Original History from our collection. Despite not posting as much as we would have liked to (We always want to do more) we have kept the Herbert Tank series going with each being shared 79 years on the day they were wrote (Next year seeing 1944 letters. With many thanks to Tamara for her time and effort in translations. We have been progressing well with cataloguing the collection and have many more interesting posts lined up for next year so be sure to stay tuned for them! Please become a free site member (Press Log In then choose a way to sign up) to never miss a post!
The photograph here shows Arbeitsmann of the Reichsarbeitsdients (Working men of the State Labour Service) Seen here celebrating together, drinking beer with smiles and laughter all round. The young Arbeitsmann are seen together posing for this photograph, mostly wearing white long undershirts, service belt with buckles and "Robin Hood" style caps. These "Robin Hood" style hats are iconic to the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) . One Arbeitsmann is notably seen in wearing his full uniform, partially in shot on the right as the other young Arbeitsmann drink their beer. It is not known when this photograph was taken or what region the young Arbeitsmann are from within the Reich.
The Reichsarbeitsdienst (State Labour Service) was born out of the ashes of the Freiwillige Arbeitsdienst, FAD (Voluntary Labour Service) which was established in 1931 to help deal with the economic crisis that hit Germany as a result of the Great Depression that started in America and latter affected the world. Germany also limited by the Treaty of Versailles after the defeat in World War One saw many look to the state for help. The Weimar government, known as the Weimar Republic introducing this voluntary state service to help with the unemployment issues in Germany. Helping the unemployed gain life skills and help the local community in which the camps were based. The benefits to the local community were the same in the FAD as they were in the RAD. Improvements to local roads and clearing land for infrastructure . These improvements encourage industry and business, connecting these by improved and new roads, not just locally but building connections slowly throughout the Reich.
On the 26th June 1935 Reichsarbeitsdienst service became mandatory with this also including service for Women, known as the RAD/wJ. A mandatory six months was ordered for all male members before they could join part of the Wehrmacht. The RAD gave confidence and kamaeradery that would give the foundation for military service. Drills and basic military activities in the RAD were undertaken, iconically with Shovels that were used for the labour work they would undertake. This paramilitary force pre to early war was crucial for not only its aid to the economic uncertainty but also for its discipline for the German people and their development for war.
This photograph like many from not only the RAD but the later Wehrmacht alike show kameradery of men together enjoying themselves. This is suggested to similar to many barrack photographs taken before they were to be deployed somewhere for service or after passing a unit inspection. Seen here collectively celebrating, drinking from beer bottles some seen with 'flip tops' they pose in fatigue undershirts. Some are seen dressed up, as a part of a suggested stage or barrack performance. These Arbeistsmann seen in the photograph are enjoying themselves in this time where they are not needed to stick to their strict discipline of drills or duties. Such photographs show the down times and laughter that happened away from the military displays and combat. This photograph one of many that would be taken to show the young Arbeitsmann in service, likely put in a photo album to remember their time.