The Feldgendarmes were the uniformed military police of Germany. Under the Nazi regime they were under the German Army High Command. They received full infantry training and were given extensive police powers. Waffen-SS Feldgendarme formations also existed.
Their main role during the early part of
the war was policing territory under German occupation – anything from
traffic control through to hunting partisan resistance fighters.
However, as the tide of war turned against the Third Reich, the
Feldgendarmes were used to enforced discipline within the Wehrmacht,
searching for malingerers and executing deserters.
Feldgendarmes were known colloquially as
‘Kettenhunds’ (Chain Hounds) in light of their metal gorgets hanging
from chains around their necks – a symbol of authority.
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