Very rare Ehrennadel der SS Heimwehr Danzig.
SS Heimwehr “Danzig” was an SS unit established in the Free City of Danzig before the Second World War. It fought with the German Army against the Polish Army during the invasion of Poland, and some of its members committed a massacre of Polish civilians!
The SS-Heimwehr Danzig was formed in June 1939 when the senate of Danzig decided to create a defense force. Himmler volunteered to raise it and SS-Sturmbann Goetze, of SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 4 Ostmark, was transferred from Berlin.
The Sturmbann was reinforced by an anti-tank company (Panzerabwehr-Lehrsturm der SS-Totenkopfstandarten) and 500 volunteers from Danzig. SS-Heimwehr Danzig was formally raised on 18 August 1939 and consisted of 1.550 men.
It fought in Danzig and the Westerplatte during the invasion of Poland and was formed II. and part of III./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3 of the SS-Totenkopf-Division after that campaign.
Known war crimes
On 8 September 1939 33 civilians in the Polish village of Ksiazki (Hohenkirch) were killed by soldiers of SS-Heimwehr Danzig. (1)
Commanders
SS-Obersturmbannführer Goetze
Original pin, marked to the reverse 795 silver with makers mark details,
Heavy wear and missing its pin, but a very rare item indeed with a good amout of its original detail remaining!
Super rare item!