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Shortly the history of this force is here included, taken over from my text from volume 4 from "Headgear of Hitler's Germany":

During the Reichsparteitag in September 1933 at Nürnberg, it required no explanation that the conditions
relating to provisioning and refreshing the participants were far from ideal. Manpower was sufficient, but
the technical framework was not effective in its execution for the tens of thousands of party-members.
SA-Sturmbannführer Seidler, the Bavarian leader of the Winterhilfswerk, formulated plans for an emergency
aid organization for the NS-Volkswohlfahrt (Peoples Welfare Organization), after making his intend known to
the NSDAP.
The "Amt für Beamte der Obersten Leitung der Politischen Organisation der NSDAP" (ABPO - Department of Functionaries
of the Highest Leadership of the NSDAP Political Organization) was attracted to Seidler's idea to form such a unit
"for everyday use" to take care of medical, supply of food and technical services, in addition to be employed
during other occasions such as catastrophes and larger meetings of the Party. Shortly after the end of the
Party Day Seidler was ordered to work out his ideas at full speed. The NS-Beamtenschaft (NS, Civil Servants) placed
funds at Seidler's disposal.

Seilder, the NSV, the NS-Frauenwerk (NS Women's Group) and chief-engineer Ulrich from the truck manufacturer
C.D. Magirus K.G. from Ulm, assisted and were advisors with enormous devotion to the task of further development.
The workers from Magirus accomplished the rest. The basic unit was ready after about nine weeks and was in action
for the first time in mid-November 1933 at Ulm.

On January 4, 1934 the leader of the earlier mentioned department of the ABPO, Hermann Neef, who also was the
leader of the RDB "Reichsbund der Deutschen Beamten" (National Union of German Civil Servants), his deputy and staff-
leader Josef Reusch, Rudolf Hess (Hitler's deputy) and various other high ranked NSDAP functionaries were shown the
results so far attained at the unit's formation at the Fransizkaner Leistbrauerei (an abandonded brewery, located near
the central train station in Munich). On this occasion, the unit was officially named Hilfszug Bayern, to honor all
people from bavaria that were so devoted to the unit's objective. In the beginning the HZB was commonly referred to
as "Beamten-Hilfszug Bayern" or the "Autohilfszug Bayern".

The unit was created by Seidler, who was the staff leader for the SA from SA-Hochland. The actual HZB leader was
SA-Sturmführer Doppler. Both were subordinated to Gauleiter Adolf Wagner, the State Minister for Bavaria and the
"oberste Leiter des Hilfszuges" (the highest leader of the HZB and also the unit's patron). A the end of February 1934
Hitler made an appearance and was fully briefed on the unit's potential.
The above mentioned subordination to Wagner ended on December 1, 1934. As of this date the HZB was subordinated
to Dr. Josef Goebbels, the Reichspropagandaleiter der NSDAP (Reich Propaganda Leader of the NSDAP) and the Reichsleitung
der NSDAP
while being at the same time renamed as the "NSDAP Reichsleitung - Reichspropagandaleitung Hilfszug Bayern"".
With the agreement of reichsleiter Franz Xaver Schwarz, the Reichsschatzmeister der NSDAP (the Treasurer of the NSDAP),
the Reichspropagandaleitung (RPL), furnished the operational funds while the Schwarz-department took care for the
unit's administration (to be continued).
 

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) In February 1934 Hitler made his appearance and was briefed on the potential of the Hilfszug "Bayern" by SA-Sturmbannführer Seidler,
a staff-leader from the SA-Hochland district;
b) In early May 1934 Seidler got another opportunity to show the HZB to Dr. Josef Goebbels. For his merits Seidler was promoted to the
rank of SA-Obersturmbannführer just before Hitler's visit in February;
c) Seidler shows the HZB to (from right to left): Minister Wagner, Reichsgeschäftsführer Boehler, Hess (Hitlers deputy) and Reichsleiter Grimm.
Neef is not visible as he stands just behind Seidler;
d) Photograph from the "Illustrierter Beobachter" from January 20, 1934 showing Seidler (wearing the SA form of Edelweiss) and the
earliest beginnings for the convoy at the grounds of the Fransizkaner Leistbrauerei at Munich, near the central station;
e) blue-white colored plate with the indication Hilfszug Bayern (the colors for Bavaria) and the special pennant. In the upper part of the circle
Hilfszug "Bayern"; in the lower part Schirmherr Staatsminister Adolf Wagner, the HZB-patron and the unit's first leader.
From December 1, 1934 the HZB was subordinated to Goebbels, the Reichspropagandaleiter der NSDAP. (to be continued)
 

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) In early 1934 the HZB was put into action on various occasions and assisted at the Deutsche Skimeisterschaften at Berchtesgaden
skiing championship). Later followed a main red Cross exercise at the Süddeutsche Bremsen AG at Munich. The photograph shows a group
of political leaders from the NS-Beamtenschaft, being "only in the way". At left with goggles a member from the NSKK; next to him an NSKK
member in civil (thought to be an employee from the Magirus-factory). The persons with the SA-kepi are HZB/SA-members from the Hochland-
district;
b) The HZB was divided into three sections: one for food supply (Hilfszug I), a medical unit (Hilfszug II) and a fully equipped engineer unit with workshops
(Hilfszug III). The photograph shows Dr. Lüztzeler from the Chirurgische Universitätsklinik from Munich, who was assigned to the medical unit.
He is here shown at the operation facility. The second photo(c) is also from the medical unit where a doctor assists. May 1, 1934 a large demonstration
was given to the public of Berlin;
d) "Barry", the St.Bernhard dog, which was assigned to the HZB medical section. He was used in the earliest years as an aid with avalanches;
e) a special truck for terrain transportation (Geländegängiger Lastwagen) with trailer. For statistics the truck had a six-cylinder 70 PS diesel engine. This
truck was used for personnel transportation and the transportation of goods (as food and ready made meals) fo the participants of an event.

(note: some photographs are press-photographs, others from magazines and newspapers from the "old days". Even some scanned copies will be
included). There is more to come. I think tomorrow!!
 

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) kitchen-truck (Küchenwagen) with four boilers, baker's oven, warmwater container of 350 liters and other euipment; six-cylinder 110 PS
diesel engine with a direct current engine-generator 220 volt;
b) truck, especially equiped for scullery of the barrels and food-containers (Kübelspülwagen). For the barrels there were developed special warm-holders
(see photo a) from post 3 in the foreground);
c) truck equiped as an electric power station (Elektrische Kraftzentrale) with trailer. Engine as before 110PS. The generator was a direct-current
engine of 140 KW/230 volt, operating by a six-cylinder diesel engine of 210 PS. The trailer was equiped as the truck;
d) truck (Werkstattwagen), used as a workshop, with the same engine as earlier mentioned and with the same direct-current engine
e) truck as used during an exhibition in Berlin. The signs clearly mentions its purpose, supplying of foods (Verpflegungszug) and it was a part
for the "Beamtenhilfszug Bayern", the earliest beginnings.

(PS: use the thread "Hilfszug Bayern"/"Reichsautozug Deutschland" as the thread to give eventual comments and let this thread here be
the thread for given information. This later goes also for the thread to create about the Reichsautozug "Deutschland"). Thanks in advance!!
 

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) and b): two 1934 photographs with the medical truck, known as Sanitätszug. In this truck one could operate. The
other photograph is from the mobile kitchen-truck where the HZB-members are being supplied with food (photo taken during an
exhibition and where the HZB was shown to the public). Note the wearing of an SA-uniform or a white overall with SA-kepi with
the light-blue top for the SA-district of Hochland, shown by the worn Edelweiss-flower;
c) a bus, used for the transportation of the HZB-members from and to an event;
d) shield positioned on both sides of HZB-trucks and in use until about mid-1937. This photograph was published in the June 1936 issue
from the "Illustrierte Beobachter". The Sütterlin-lettering reads: Eine Höchstleistung der Technik und Organisation
which one can translate as: A maximum possible technical and organizational output! Earlier logos mentioned the funding by the Beamten-
Abteilung der NSDAP
. In the course of 1937 a new logo appeared;
e) the new logo on the sides of the truck. Upon the loading platform an enormous mess tin for transporting food is visible. Note the wings of the
eagle point downwards, this in contrary to the trucks for the Reichsautozug "Deutschland".

(there is much more to come about the HZB. Have to make choices, as I do have pretty much information and photographs. I will first continue
with part II from the historical development, either today or tomorrow)
 

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Hilfszug "Bayern" (1935-1945) - II (continuation):

In 1935/1936 things changed and were in some ways re-organized. In 1937 it was planned that the new "HZB" would be trained
and to operate closely (in fact integrated) with another emergency aid unit, the Reichsautozug "Deutschland" (RAZ). From
documents, it is stated that the cooperation between the two units was never, in fact, accomplished due to rivalries. The HZB
officially moved from the grounds from the old brewery, to the new grounds and buildings, the so-called "Reichautobahnhof"
(Reich Vehicle Garage), a new facility for the RAZ at the corner of the Soyerhof and Peter-Auzinger-Strasse near the complexes from
the Reichszeugmeisterei. This occured in April 1937.

Both Seidler and Doppler were brushed aside and were replaced by a political leader, Arthur Borchert, who was given the title of
"Hilfszugleiter". From approximately 1937 the HZB was directly subordinated to the NSKK Motor-Group of "'Hochland",
as well as assigned to the Reichspropagandaleitung staff-leader "Hauptamtsleiter" (Main Officer Leader), Hugo Fischer,
who was the unit's spokesman. Borchert was placed in the NSKK. During a visit by Hühnlein to Poland in November 1939, Borchert
was promoted to the rank of "NSKK-Standartenführer". Shortly thereafter Borchert was replaced by "Reichsamtsleiter"
Eugen Strömsdörfer. Early in the war the HZB was still in connection to the Schwarz-department. One should note that this unit was then
subordinated to the "Oberkommando des Heeres" (OKH, the Army High Command) with its members forming a sort of
"Gefolgschaftsmitglieder der Wehrmacht" (Officer/Enlisted members of the Armed Forces). The leadership of the HZB was
transferred to "Reichshauptstellenleiter" (Reich Main Station Leader) Fritz Breitsameter, who was appointed as the
"kommissarischer Kommandant" (Commissioned Commander). It all may seem a little bit confusing??

Important events that took place were still larger meetings (in spite of the fact that not everyone liked the HZB-food) and all
types of Party rallies. In 1938, the HZB took part in the takeover of Austria and feeded the Vienna polulation and moved later
into the Sudetenland. shortly after its annexation with Germany. The HZB was stationed in Poland at Lowics in September
1939, shortly after Warsaw surrendered. Later the HZB was involved in the western campaign, and was for example in Belgium.
In the later stage of war the HZB took care for trasnportation of food for the German population and the distressed. The units
were active until late in the war. In early May 1945 the HZB stocks, located at the earlier mentioned "Reichsautobahnhof"
were ransacked by the population of Munich. What remained was then looted by US forces, which were in that area.

It would be complicated to go into all of the technical details, but it is interesting to know that within the unit's introduction in
early 1934, the HZB had sixteen trucks and was divided into three sections:
Hilfszug I: was used to supply food with a two-car mobile kitchen, a butcher shop, a tanker truck and another
special truck for use in heavy terrain. In 1936 eight more trucks were added, to be used for "'barbequing". A special truck was
arranged to wash and clean the kitchenware and further possessed twenty field-kitchens, known by the German population as
"Gulaschkanonen" (Goulash cannons), that were added as well;
Hilfszug II: the medical unit, having an operating facility, an X-ray station, a pharmacy, units with tents for
temporary billeting and a hospital. The medical section was for some years supervised by Dr. Lützeler, a surgeon from the
Chirurgische Universitätsklinik from Munich. He was assisted by qualified male and possibly some female nurse and
hospital attendants. The unit had also a dentist-section;
Hilfszug III: was a fully equiped engineer unit with workshops for metal and woodworking, a dispatch driver,
a 10-ton crane, a special fire engine and a power station to supply electricity and water. Later more special trucks were
built for the transportation of fuel, water and a filter-bed for water purification.

During the earliest stages of the HZB's existence the permanent personnel, all being specialists in their skills, came from
all over Germany. In total it then were 30 men, which were all assigned to the SA-district of "Hochland". For special
purposes a St. Bernard dog, named "Barry" served for many years. At the end of 1934 approximately 50 men were in
active service. The total of permanent personnel, living at first in the brewery and later on the grounds of the RAZ, would
grow to 100-140 persnnel by the later 1930's.

This thread will be continued with more photographs from trucks etc. In a later stage short and brief the worn uniforms
are being included, completed with some photographs.
 
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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) 1937 was an important year for the HZB. It was combined with the Reichsautozug "Deutschland", Both were sheltered
at a new accomodation, the Reichsautobahnhof near to the new buildings for the Reichszeugmeisterei at Munich.
Seidler and Doppler were succeeded by Arthur Borchert, a political leader who held the titel of Hilfszugleiter, the leader for
the HZB convoy. It is important to know the HZB was subordinated to the NSKK-organization from the district of Hochland,
its permanent personnel combined as NSKK-Motorsturm 40/86 from Munich. Note the lining up for all of the vehicles for a
very special occcasion;
b) before the visitors arrived the trucks and men from the HZB all were lined up and inspected by Borchert;
c) April 6, 1937 many high ranking officials from the state and Armed Forces and political leaders from the NSDAP and press
were invited at the grounds of the Reichsautobahnhof. Also a guest from the USA had come to see how the Germans
built this convoy, as there were plans for such convoys in the USA also. The man in civilian cloths, at left, is the American military
attaché, major Truman Smith. The Munich city commander, Oberstleutnant von Mann is next to him, chatting with
Reichsschatzmeister. Schwarz. The man in the greatcoat is thought to be Hugo Fischer from the Reichspropagandaleitung.
The political leader holding his belt is Arthur Borchert;
d) the crew from the HZB was later also inspected by Schwarz. His department took care for the administration. Schwarz salutes
the lined up crew with a "Sieg Heil"! This visit was possibly the first occasion the crew-members did wear the special uniform,
known as the Sonderhilfszuguniform, a quite attracting special uniform with a large beret. This uniform must be super rare as until
these days none has ever showed up. With the blouse a special cuffband with indication was to be worn. Such a cuffband neither has
shown up;
e) trucks lined up. These trucks took care for the transportation of supplies of food. The HZB-convoy was grown so large that
one could divide it into smaller convoys, so they could be send to various events at the same time. For occasions as the Reichsparteitag
the convoy was attending as one!
 

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It would be to much to show all available photographs with trucks or the HZB, being in action. All kinds of equipment
were constructed for a quick supplying of the foods and drinks at events, such as churns for warm and cold drinks,
tins and feeders for warm food and roller paths. There exists even a complete plan for how and where the trucks had to
be positioned during an event.
The convoy owned also trucks for transporting fuel and water (third photograph foreground left). In the mid-thirties the
color for the trucks was a lighter gray. Since the war the color had changed into a darker color, possibly darker grey.
The HZB was put into action when and wherever they were needed!
 

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This is shown with some coming photographs:

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

a) March 1938 at Vienna. Note the overall and the black NSKK field-cap with theEdelweiss-flower fromHochland;
b) Poland 1939: the HZB was here assisted by Polish prisoners. At right in an NSKK-greatcoat Staffelführer Arthur Borchert.
During this occasion he was promoted as Standartenführer. Shortly thereafter he was replaced by Eugen Stromsdörfer, a
Reichsamtsleiter from the Reichspropagandaleitung. Next to Borchert is the NSKK-Korpsführer Adolf Hühnlein.
In between of them is the highest-leader from the Berlin-area Obergruppenführer, Karl Offermann;
c) 1940 in Belgium: the HZB was sent to Flanders to feed refugees and the poor in the cities Gent, Brugge and Oostende. Prior to
the western campaign the HZB was subordinated to the Army High Command;
d en e) a truck from the HZB "en route" to feed the population, riding through a bombed German city. The assigned SA-members
already are eating from special HZB cups.

I have to end it. What is shown next has to do with the worn uniforms.
 

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Brief explanation about the worn uniforms. In earlier posts: 5 a) and b); 7 d) and 9 a) and b) one can see also the
worn uniforms.

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a) b) c)

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d) e)

When the HZB started its activities the SA-uniform was worn as for the SA-district of Hochland.
The top for the kepi and the color for the collar-patches was light-blue. Upon the kepi the authorized form of Edelweiss,
was worn (post 5 a) and b). When the HZB was combined with the RAZ on the grounds near the RZM a special uniform -
Sonderhilfszuguniform was introduced with a large beret.
In the press it was described as a "unique and striking, practical uniform". This uniform was only worn with special occasions,
when appearing in public. Until today the color for the uniform is not quite known as in some source it was mentioned olive-colored
and in the German press gray. Neither is the exact color known for the collar-patches and the piping for the beret, but as the HZB
was assigned to the Reichspropagandaleitung, this is a possibility. This typical uniform is shown with a) in this post where
Arthur Borchert, the Hilfszugleiter, is the third person from right. He wears a political uniform from the period (1937). Note the
large beret, known as Flachmütze. With this uniform a special cuffband was allowed to be worn, authorized by the Reichsschatzmeister
Schwarz.

In the "NSKK-Verordnungsblatt" from January 27, 1938 a special note was published for the members of Motorsturm 40/M86,
being the Hilfszug "Bayern", see b). Note that the caption, as used in volume 4 from the series "Headgear of Hitler's Germany"
mentions the units-number and that the unit was directly assigned to the motor-group of Hochland. Also it is noted that the
indication for the collar-patch (the one worn upon right) included the aluminum indication HZB. The earlier mentioned cuffband was
also allowed to be worn when the NSKK-uniform was worn;
c) shows a close-up from the aluminum colored cuffband, which is piped in black along the edges and had in black the proper indication;
d) photograph from March 1938 at Vienna wherea HZB-member does wear the cuffband at his leather tunic. Upon the kepi the appropriate
Edelweiss. Note the wearing of the so-called Kraftfahrraute just above the cuffband;
e) the person, wearing the visored cap, wears the HZB abbreviation upon his right collar-patch. The cap worn is the type as in use by persons
from the Inspectorate of motor-schools. A large eagle is positioned upon the cap band and the lower part for the top. The photograph is taken
in 1940 during the French campaign. A HZB-member is interviewed by an army reporter.

I hope that viewers of this thread enjoy the shown photographs and the given information for this - many occasions - quite unknown formation.



(The found information comes from many sources as: "Der Beamten-Hilfszug Bayern", an in 1934/1935 published booklet with 32 pages about the
early HZB with an enormous lot of technical information and many photographs; an important prospectus from the Margirus-Werke from Ulm
(Humboldt-Deutzmotoren A.G.) from 1938, 12 pages with lots of technical information and photographs and the plan (Aufmarschplan) of how the
HZB -trucks and tents were positioned at the NSDAP Party Day from 1936. Further were used the "Völkischer Beobachter" from January 8, 1934;
Ibid from February 9, 1934; Ibid from March 22, 1934; Ibid May 11, 1935; Ibid August 14, 1935 (last two in relation for the plans to built the
Reichsautobahnhof); "Stadt-Nachrichten und General-Anzeiger" (from Munich) from January 11, 1934; "Illustrierter Beobachter" from January 20,
1934; Ibid from June 18, 1936; "Deutsche Kraftfahrt"-magazine from Feberuary 18, 1934; "Münchener Neueste Nachrichten" from March 21, 1934;
Ibid from September 10, 1936; "Der Deutsche Justizbeamte" from September 23, 1934; "Almanach der Deutschen Beamten", 1935; "Verordnungsblatt
der Reichsleitung der NSDAP" from mid-January 1935; Magirus-Deutz AG, Ulm. Survey of the HZB with truck-types (13 pages); Notes from March 8,
1937 from the staff from the HZB; "Münchener Beobachter" from April 7, 1937; "Münchener Stadtanzeiger" from April 7, 1937 and notes from all kinds
of unknown sources).

The next to come will be a new thread with information for the Reichsautozug "Deutschland", the RAZ. Maybe I will start tomorrow with this.
 

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