vopo
 

little question.

is it possible that the ddr border guards where ever equipped with the vopo luger as side arm?

Yes. The guards themselves were initially armed only with the K98 rifle.

I've also seen early photos of VoPo Border Guards armed with G-43s and MP-44s.

Ron,

That is correct. Initially the allies agreed to refrain from providing German officials with side arms made in Germany. But that didn't work. France was running Mauser for their own inventory, the Russians had captured the gun companies in Suhl and the Americans really didn't care either. Serious rearming of the East-Germans started in the early 1950s when major reforms (read nationalization of companies) were taking place and the DDR was afraid that capital and material would be moved towards the West. Border security was increased, which introduced a need for equipment. Russian captured guns were the easiest option initially. This in turn spawned the rework programs in the DDR.

so it's safe to assume that the ddr border patrol did use the vopo luger as side arm next to the G-43s and MP-44s?

are there any records about the vopo lugers and border patrol?

As well as the P38. Since both shared a similar holster design it is difficult to determine on photographs and film footage if they were carrying one or the other.

Vlim, You amaze me, thank you for the information.:thumbup:
Alf.

Vlim is quite right about the shared DDR soft holster for both the P.08 and the P.38 being difficult to determine what is being carried. Here is a photo of a Volkspolizei motorcyclist who is carrying a P.08 in a hardshell Luger holster.

I found a couple of the photos that I was referring to. Note the Luger/P.38 holsters.

Some examples of VoPo / DDR holsters:

Ron
Thanks for the great pics of the Vopo.
I didn't know the Vopo where armed with STG 44s.
My favorite WW2 rifle.
Bob

I have seen many photos over the years with DDR guards equipped with Stg 44's.

Perhaps the most famous photo of them all, the East German border guard jumping to freedom in the west has the guard carrying a PPsH41 submachinegun. I wonder if the DDR demanded its return??