The NSDAP Kreistag Unterwestwald Badge of 1939 represents a fascinating example of National Socialist commemorative insignia and event badges that were produced in large quantities during the Third Reich. This particular piece, made of painted clay with a diameter of 44 mm, documents a district convention (Kreistag) of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) in the Unterwestwald region in 1939.
The NSDAP organized its territorial administration in a hierarchical system that extended from the Reich through Gaue (regions), Kreise (districts) down to local groups (Ortsgruppen). A Kreistag was a significant event at the district level, where party functionaries, local officials, and members gathered to discuss political directives, report on activities, and promote National Socialist ideology. The year 1939 marked a particularly significant moment in the history of the NS regime, immediately before and during the beginning of World War II with the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.
The use of painted clay as the material for this badge is noteworthy and distinguishes it from the more common metal badges of the era. While many NSDAP event badges were made from metals such as zinc, tombac, or silver-plated brass, ceramic or clay was occasionally employed. This could have had various reasons: on one hand, the emphasis on local craft traditions, and on the other hand, possibly the increasing metal scarcity that accompanied the war economy. Ceramic badges often had a more folksy, less militaristic character and were meant to demonstrate connection with regional traditions.
The Unterwestwald region belonged to the Wiesbaden administrative district in the Prussian province of Hessen-Nassau. The Westwald, also known as the Taunus, was a geographically and culturally distinct region that maintained its own identity within the NS administrative structure. The NSDAP placed great emphasis on being present even in rural and smaller regions and conducting regular party events to ensure the ideological penetration of society.
Such event badges served multiple functions: they acted as admission tickets, as souvenirs for participants, and as visible signs of belonging to the party community. Participants often wore these badges with pride, as they demonstrated their political loyalty and commitment to the NS regime. The badges were typically produced in limited editions, which gave them a certain collectible value, both then and in later philatelic and military-historical collecting circles.
The design of such badges usually followed certain iconographic patterns: frequently featured were the swastika, the Reich eagle, local coats of arms, or symbolic representations of regional characteristics. The painting of the clay allowed for colorful design that was more elaborate to achieve with metal badges. The typical colors were red, white, and black – the official colors of the NS regime – combined with regional color schemes.
In the context of the year 1939, such party events gained particular significance. The NSDAP intensified its mobilization efforts, prepared the population for the impending war, and attempted to strengthen national unity and the “fighting spirit.” District conventions were used to explain war economy measures, spread propaganda about perseverance, and prepare the local population for the requirements of the coming years.
From today's museological and historical perspective, such objects are important witnesses to NS everyday culture and the mechanisms of totalitarian rule. They document how the regime attempted to spread its ideology and penetrate society through symbolic practices, visual communication, and the organization of mass events. The preservation and scientific documentation of such objects is essential for the historical understanding of this dark epoch of German history.
The study of NSDAP event badges contributes to our understanding of how the Nazi regime created a pervasive visual culture that reinforced its message at every level of society. These objects, while small in themselves, were part of a comprehensive system of symbols, rituals, and material culture that the NSDAP used to consolidate its power and control over the German population. Today, they serve as tangible reminders of the methods employed by totalitarian regimes to maintain authority and indoctrinate citizens.
