- Published: 01 June 2013 01 June 2013
- Last Updated: 01 June 2013 01 June 2013
The Sonderdienst was formed as an auxiliary police formation in May 1940 in the Generalgouvernement (the parts of Poland that were occupied by Germany but not annexed by the it) by Generalgouverneur Hans Frank from volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) living in the area, including former members of the Selbstschutz.
It was under the control of the civilian administration but Hans Frank lost the power struggle and in August 1942 it was transferred to the control of the SS.
During the end of the war the remaining members of the Sonderdienst were used as front line soldiers.
July 1941 2.500
November 1941 2.600
A sleeve badge with the text "Sonder dienst" next to an German eagle and the text "Generalgouvernment" below.
Peter Black - Indigenous collaboration in the Government General: The Case of the Sonderdienst (in Constructing nationalities in East Central Europe)
David Littlejohn - Foreign legions of the Third Reich, vol 4
Reference material on this unit
- None known at this time -