Medaille Für Treue Dienste in der Deutschen Volkspolizei Stufe III

[Jb4046]

Another medal just delivered this morning. A very early Volkspolizei medal awarded for 5 years of service.

Awarded to Hans Gerhardt in 1.7.1955 in Dresden. At the time he was rank “VP-Rat”

This is quite a interesting variation. But any information I speak would just be copying HARRY THE MOLES thread so here the link!
DDR Volkspolizei medal

Hope you guys like this set!

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A very nice example... and issued on exactly the same date as mine!

Cheers,
Steve

[Jb4046]

I didn’t notice that. Pretty cool!

Wonder if the day holds significance

[HARRY THE MOLE]

I didn’t notice that. Pretty cool!

Wonder if the day holds significance

Maybe it was somewhere near that date that a list of those who had served the correct number of years to qualify for the award had been drawn up.

[Watchdog]

I didn’t notice that. Pretty cool!

Wonder if the day holds significance

Nice set, well done!

Re the date; in the DDR medals tended to be presented enmasse on significant parades.

Early on VP-Rat was equivalent to Hauptman or Captain and in modern UK parlance roughly a Chief Inspector (West German Haupt-Kommisar).

Regards

Mark

[Jb4046]

Thanks , VP-Rat did confuse me at first but then I found a nice list from the axis history webiste

Ranks of the Deutsche Volkspolizei

So usage of VP-Rat was at the very start and the very End. thanks for telling me the British equivalent!

[Watchdog]

You are welcome. I think Police Scotland still use the Chief Inspector rank but some forces in England have deleted it whilst some have retained it. Others deleted it then re-instated it. Confused? I am . Not really relevant to the thread but kind of interesting as an aside!

Mark