Original Items: Only One Available. The Wirtschaftliche Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Economic Research Company Ltd.), commonly known as WiFo, was established in Berlin in 1934 as a front company of the Reich Ministry of Economics. Its purpose was to procure, produce, and store raw materials considered essential to the German war effort, helping to support the logistical requirements of the Wehrmacht. Its principal task was the construction of large, secret fuel-storage facilities. WiFo was also responsible for operating mineral-oil tank cars and tankers, expanding transportation routes, and managing plants that produced basic chemicals such as nitric acid. 

The fuel supply was vital for the success of the war, so the company had its own Werkschutz Factory Protection Brigade to guard all aspects of the supply from potential sabatoge. As was common in Germany at the time, members of the group were identified by Ärmelstreifen (cuff titles) worn on the sleeve of their uniform, and this is a very nice example. The cuff title measures approximately 15 1/4" (38.7cm) long and 1 1/4" (30mm) wide, and shows light to moderate wear from service, with staining to the embroidery and a few small moth holes. It is of green wool construction, with some border stitches near the edges, and is sewn together in the back. The front bears a correct machine embroidered "Latin" sans serif font text Wifo-Werkschutz. We have compared it with several period examples, and it is an exact match in terms of weave and construction. We also checked it thoroughly with a UV light, and did not notice any reaction.

This is an appealing original WiFo-Werkschutz cuff title associated with the factory-protection personnel responsible for guarding facilities and resources vital to the German wartime fuel and materials network. Its green wool construction, correct machine-embroidered lettering, period-style weave, and honest service wear give it strong collector interest. The staining, minor moth damage, and joined rear seam are fully evident, while the overall construction remains consistent with the period examples we examined.

The Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (German Labor Front or DAF) was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labor to serve the interests of the NSDAP, and in reality did little to help or improve the status of workers. The DAF leader was Reichsleiter and Reichsorganisationsleiter Robert Ley, who would later commit suicide before the Nuremberg trials.

The Werkscharen (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organization, formed in 1934. They were trained and organized as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active Werkschar units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-colored insignia, while administrators wore gold-colored insignia. Even though Werkscharen were not affiliated with the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.

Some companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed Werkschutz (Factory Protection), and later Werksicherheitsdienst (Factory Security Service). Werkschutz insignia were first introduced in late 1937, which was an art deco style eagle looking to the left. holding a canted shield with a black swas (hook cross) on it. Some of the Factory Protection visors had colored piping, however it is not known what these signified.