Das Sanitäter
To best understand the importance of the patch, it is best to understand the men that was to wear it with pride.The following article came into being through my own personal research and the gracious help from two other highly knowledgeable people (Manuel & Vinnie) along with a number of reference books. It is my intention to spread just a shimmer of information in the English language on the humane role the German Medical personnel did during the Great War. It has been discovered during much of my research that online details in English is primarily found in references to the German Sanitäter of the Second World War, but not the prior conflict. So, I decided that I would find at least some glimmer of details that others may observe in the English language so others may learn a very important aspect that has been left mostly untouched in the English tongue. So, here is the brief overview study of the Sanitäter, written by me:
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Throughout the ages, the need of medical personnel has always been essential. This fact was never lost to the Kaiser Armee. The Sanitäter branch was founded shortly after the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War.
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The German Sanitäter was the equivalent of a Medic in American standards. They in many ways were a grim help for many soldiers at the front. One moment, the Sanitäter would be at a wounded soldaten’s side while treating his wounds, perhaps giving a man a sip of water to a incapacitated P.O.W. after an assault, and then the next moment he would give a dying man a little company before he passed on. Regardless of the circumstances, the Sanitäter served a very important and valuable role within the armed forces of the Kaiser.
Sani in full kit, Andrew S. Collection
To become a Sanitäter, one would typically volunteer for such a role, ideal characteristics that were sought after were men that had a background in the medical or sanitation fields, and happen to be a little intellectually sharper. Initially, training would have been 6 months, however due to the demands of the war the training was reduced to three months. They were trained in the manners and techniques of emergency medical procedures of the day, not much different as an EMT in today’s regard. Anatomy, physiology, bleeding control, dressings, splinting, carrying, setting dislocations, the levels of care and transfer, medical tools and equipment and some pharmacology like pain relief, gastro-intestinal issues, and bacteria control. Basically, everything needed to keep a man in the line. Only the most serious cases were transferred to the hospital, otherwise you would have wounded men wait in the second line of care for 7-14 days convalescing.
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When they graduated from the course, they were assigned to a regiment. Generally there was one Sanitäter per Kompagnie with the support of 4 Krankenträger (stretcher-bearers) in line units, wore what that unit was issued. The Sanitäter were still soldiers and wore the unifrom head to toe of their parent regiment. They were issued a medical canteen (Labeflasche), Medical Pouches (Ärztlichtaschen), P08 Luger (for defense), and Red Cross armband (Neutralitätsabzeichen). It should be noted that the armband was stamped by either the Regiment or if an independent Battalion, by that Battalion.
Writer's Note: If anyone ever wishes to help me expand on this article, I would welcome it. But so long as references can be provided. Thank you for your time
Sanitäter posing with a Gew98 in a studio, Sanitäters were not expected to carry a rifle into battle. They were supposed to be 'neutral', and only carried a side arm & bayonet for defense only.
Arm Patch for Sänitater Personnel
(Ärmelabzeichen für Sanitätspersonal))
The Sanitäter patch was initially introduced in 1909 in the dark blue color, however by 1913 the color was adopted to feldgrau wool backing.
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The yellow wool felt material would some times be hand cut and would be attached by a a machine sewn zigzag pattern with yellow thread. The eye and tongue would be red thread. The ovals have been observed being both machine or hand cut as well. The backing being Rayon or a white cotton cheese cloth was either hand or machine cut as well.
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The patch was typically a oval egg shape (unlike the round WW2 Sanitäter patch) with the feature of a single serpent wrapping around a staff that represented Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing. It would be worn on the upper right sleeve of the tunic. It should be noted the patch backing color (feldgrau) didn't match up with the uniform's feldgrau.
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Sanitäter and Doktors would be permitted to wear these patches. The Krankenträger (stretcher-bearers) would not wear them.
Sani sitting down, note patch on sleeve.
Model 1909 Sanitäter Patch
(M.09 Ärmelabzeichen für Sanitätspersonal)
Pre-war Dark Blue wool backing to a yellow wool felt. The Yellow is sewn on primarily in a zigzag sewing machine stitches.
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Backside seems to be Rayon.
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Only worn on the M1895 Waffenrock
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Patch details: Blue Wool, yellow wool felt; 9cm Tall, 7cm Wide
M.1909 Twill Sanitäter Patch
(Drillich Sanitätsunterpersonel Abzeichen)
Early Twill material with the yellow wool felt sewn on with the standard zigzag machine stitches.
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No backing.
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Only worn on the matching color HBT work uniform.
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Patch details: Early White Drillich, yellow wool felt; 8.5cm Tall, 6.6cm Wide
Front of HBT Sani Patch, Andrew S. Collection
Back of HBT Sani Patch, Andrew S. Collection
Jäger Sanitäter Patch
(Jäger Sanitätsunterpersonel Abzeichen)
Front of Jäger Sani Patch, Andrew S. Collection
Jäger Green wool-felt with yellow felt snake with standard zigzag sewing machine stitching. Eye and tongue is woven red.
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Rayon Backing.
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Worn on war time Jäger uniforms.
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Measurements: 7.cm Tall 5.6 Wide
Back of Jäger Sani Patch, Andrew S. Collection
M1913 Sanitäter Patch
(M.13 Sanitätsunterpersonel Abzeichen)
Patch info: Feldgrau wool, yellow wool felt, red eyes and tongue. Zigzag machine stitched.
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Backside (not shown) has a off white cotton cheese cloth.
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Worn on standard war time uniforms. Often mismatched feldgrau between the patch and uniform.
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Measurements: 8.7cm Tall 6.6 Wide
Ersatz Sani Patch, Edgar E.P. Collection.
Patch info: War time example grey wool, yellow wool felt, red eyes and tongue. Zigzag machine stitched.
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Backside has no cheese cloth on the backside unlike the earlier variants.
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Worn on standard war time uniforms. Often mismatched feldgrau between the patch and uniform.
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Measurements: 8.7cm Tall 6.4 Wide
Other Samples
This sleeve insignia was found in the estate of a Sanitäter of R.J.R. 46. It is most likely a troop-internal sleeve or hand made commemorative insignia. "SP" should stand for 'Sanitätspersonal' . The backing material seems to be similar to the material used on the foot rags.
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It should be noted that I am uncertain if this was a war time piece, but it did for sure come from a German Veteran's estate of WW1.
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Patch details:; 10.5cm Tall 8.5cm Wide.
Ersatz Sanitäter Patch
(Ersatz Sanitätsunterpersonel Abzeichen)
Private Purchase (Left) patch info: Quality feldgrau wool, yellow embroidery, red eyes and tongue.
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Backside (not shown) has a rayon backing.
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Patch details: Feldgrau Wool, yellow thread; 6.9cm Tall, 2.3cm Wide
Ersatz Sani Patch, Edgar E.P. Collection.
Ersatz Sani Patch, Edgar E.P. Collection.
Enlisted (Right) patch info: Feldgrau wool, yellow wool felt, red eyes and tongue. Zigzag machine stitched.
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Backside (not shown) has a grey cotton cheese cloth.
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Patch info: Feldgrau fabric; 7.1cm Tall 2.6 Wide
Excellent photo of a pair of Krankenträger and Sanitäter tending a wounded man.