Railway Policeman, Switzerland, 1941 or Guard, Swiss Rail, 1941.jpg

Guard, Swiss Rail, 1941

As in all countries when war came all agencies had a responsibility to secure their areas and assets. This impacted most severely on railway organisations as their assets were strategically important but extremely visible. They were virtually impossible to keep safe all the time.

One measure of security was to arm members of the Railways to assist in patrolling lines or equipment stores to prevent sabotage. This occurred in the neutral countries just as much as those involved in the war.

This railwayman wears his issued uniform in dark blue with red embellishments. This included a peaked cap as opposed to the kepi worn by military and police forces of the country.

His military items include an armband that identifies him as a combatant or at least on official duty, a belt and antiquated ammunition pouch, and an old service rifle. The latter is a 7.5mm Infanteriegewehr K11.