I saw some video on a TV history channel showing guards outside of Hitler's office in Reich Chancellery. I wasn't able to get a screen capture but it was very similar to this shot: The one on TV had two additional guys standing side by side in the center in front of the doors. They were wearing dark military looking uniforms but with short pants and high white stockings. The had braid over their right shoulders. The jackets seemed to have only one or two buttons high up on the chest with the front edges of the jacket then opening out towards the sides lower down. Any idea what they were? Maybe ushers or butlers of come sort?
Hitler seems to have had a thing for white socks and shorts.... BTW How old did they look? "dark military looking uniforms but with short pants and high white stockings" made me think foremost of the Hitler youth and such examples as these...
Thanks, but they weren't Hitler Youth. Made me think of early Victorian era footmen. Very dressy and formal. Wish I could find a picture.
I thought that these people might be an element of Hitler's retinue of servants,such as valets etc who were in his service and attendance from when the Fuhrer was in residence at the Berlin Chancellery or at the other seat of government of Berchtesgaden. I think the screenshot is a photograph of the guard at the entrance to the Chancellery. Similar high doors were situated at the entrance to Hitler's study/office in the Chancellery.Third Reich propaganda photographs emphasised in such publications as Signal that the Fuhrer always had a tidy desk. SS guards also guarded the entrance to the office/study as shown previously....the Chancellery designed by Hitler's favourate, Albert Speer. (Have not had the time to watch the video)
Just found another one in the background of this photo https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/7a/0e/077a0e53bf0d7453cf2636b5307d6761.jpg
Seems to be a trait among certain types. All look ridiculous or was it part of the 'Cunning Plan' (not sure of the source of the quote but something along the lines of "the enemy think we are stupid so let's do nothing to destroy that illusion"). Here's Monty, 'Pip' Roberts and Horrocks also suitably (sic) attired. Possibly this image should also go on the Pith Helmets thread?
That is a good find. I've searched and searched but can't find anything on these guys. You'd think there would be more info on them.
Tried Footman - machine translates to Lakai (servant), which hasn't really helped but has turned up a few earlier German servants dressed very similarly. Think you're onto something here, Dave. They're indeed most likely 'just' servants, as found in government buildings and embassies all over in the period, but with every other aspect of Nazi era uniform & heraldry so weirdly well-served by detailed books I'm surprised there's not an obvious WAITING STAFF & CHAMBER MAIDS OF THE THIRD REICH - IN COLOUR volume by Schiffer or someone.
