Siemens Volkssturm

[traveller]

I read  an interesting account ("Death was our companion" by Tissier) of some of the fighting done by one of the more effective Volkssturm units, the Siemensstadt Volkssturm Batallion in Berlin 1945. As I considering to field a force of these in 28mm I wonder if anyone else might have some information about this unit? especially uniforms and equipment. Maybe they even had some Siemens inspired colours? How would the Siemens logo looked like in 1945? I would guess more information is available in German literature. I would be grateful for any help or comments.

[The Dozing Dragon]

The closest I can find to a logo is;



A lot of interesting websites out there!

http://www.wehrmacht-history.com/manufacturers/siemens-aircraft-engine-manufacturer.htm

[Lexxman]

This are the historical siemens-logos

Information in german language --> http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siemens

[traveller]

Nice findings! Thanks!

[carlos marighela]

I wonder what inspired the logo change post war? 

[Westfalia Chris]

I wonder what inspired the logo change post war? 

I see your winking smilie and raise you a boring explanation:

In 1966, the former semi-separate AGs (similar to PLCs in British parlance), most notably Siemens-Halske (who did heavy engineering, locomotives and the like). Siemens-Schuckert and Siemens-Reiniger were brought together in an mother corporation, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (Siemens AG).

As Siemens-Halske, which was the original company (IIRC) ceased to exist as a separate entity, the former logo of S and H was changed to better reflect the overall Siemens corporate identity.

[traveller]

Great, that we got that straightened out  

According to the book, the Siemensstadt Batallion 3/115, was well equipped and uniformed:

HQ company of 200 men
-3 x Rifle companies each of 150 men armed with French rifles and MG42s
-Heavy weapons company with 2 inf guns ( platoon 1), 4 heavy mortars (platoon 2), 2 heavy -machine guns (platoon 3)
-Gun company with 4 Russian 152mm howitzers and a 220mm French mortar

All officered and staffed by Siemens employees, of which several WW1 veterans, except the Heavy and Gun companies which also included specialists from Police and Wehrmacht units. In total 770 men. The unit saw heavy fighting in Berlin April 21-May 2 being almost annihilated, receiving 26 Iron Crosses.

There was also a Reserve Batallion no 3/132 with 480 men but without equipment and weapons supposed to defend the Siemensstadt area.

I see some potential here for some "Weird War" influences with a Siemens flag and employees in their factory overalls with The Siemens logo. I wonder if the type of "mono" overalls used by SCW Asaltos could be somewhere near a potential dress for a Siemens factory worker?

[former user]

can't offer any real historical info on that, only general advice.

the ideology demanded "Gleichschaltung", so that everything had to be uniformed and very similar. Distinctions were very small details that hardly be recognizable in 28mm. Of course in the "Volkssturm"  context everything would be used, but then how could there be Siemens factory overalls if there were not enough uniforms... Plus, a worker outfit seems very Bolshy to a true nazi, wouldn't it?

I also can't imagine an individualistic flag. Maybe a special armband or some hats that working units would have been uniformed with, or other civilian uniform parts as stand-in for lacking military issue. Though I am not familiar with these kinds of uniforms, there are a lot of books available on that topic I guess.

Anyway, in a WWWII context You can do anything You want after all