Description
Here is your chance to pick up a really nice Red Cross Leader’s dagger. This example has minor spotting to the blade as can be seen in the photos. The fittings overall are in excellent condition. The pommel nut has never been twisted or messed with, which is very uncommon to find on these daggers. Nice red-orange colored handle with one small crack on the back side as seen in photos. Brought home by Major General William Sutton of the 84th Infantry Division, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart in combat. The Treaty of Versailles stated that the Red Cross had no involvement in military matters, but in April 1933, the Nazi Reich Interior Minister Wilhelm Frick made it clear to Winterfeldt-Mencken, then leader of the German Red Cross, that the DRK would be expected to play its part in supporting the armed forces in any future conflict. In the years after the Nazi takeover, as well as adopting Nazi salutes and symbols, the DRK introduced Nazi ideology into their education. Rescue teams were trained in military conduct, basic concepts of National Socialism, genetics, racial hygiene and demographic policy. More senior staff – doctors, nurses and managers were educated in demographic policy, racial history, racial hygiene, the biology of inheritance and the foundations of genetics. As a preparation for war, the DRK focused on training people to deal with air raids and gas attacks and organised joint exercises with the police and the fire brigades. After 1938 the Red Cross would fall under the Ministry of the Interior’s Social Welfare Organization. Free shipping ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD & I don’t charge PayPal fees like some of the other guys!