J. Anderson Collection

U.S. Constabulary

As WWII left Europe destroyed, the Allies in 1945 faced the challenges of reconstruction, border integrity, and maintaining order in their respective occupation zones.  These peacetime duties fell to retasked fighting units and a new unique Constabulary force defined by the motto “Mobility, Vigilance, Justice.” 

Constabulary units were initially drawn from combat units already in the ETO, who were deployed to various disticts within the US Zone. Over time, fresh recruits were added as veterans rotated stateside. Constabulary units included elements of infantry, armor/cavalry, and artillery. Constabulary units served 1946-1952, when the remaining elements were absorbed into the 7th Army and local Armored Cavalry Regiments.

1st Lt. Constabulary liner, showing typical evidence of multiple paintings during its service life.

1st Lt. Constabulary liner, which had been overpainted at one time. Careful removal of the paint revealed this paint scheme!

Helmet liner for the 70th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, circa early 1950s. The 70th FAB was activated in 1948 at Fuessen from the 15th Constabulary Squadron. They were part of the 7732nd Field Artillery Group, designed to provided artillery support for for Constab units in Germany. 

Constabulary liner for the the 4th Constabulary Squadron/US Forces Austria. This is an original example that was touched up decades ago.

Standard four-pocket Constabulary uniform.  These were worn by early Constabulary units and were replaced by Ike jackets by the late 1940s, making them less commonly encourntered today.

This unnamed uniform was worn by a veteran of the 26th Infantry Division in WWII who served in the early postwar Constabulary.

This uniform belonged to a veteran of Lake Forest, Illinois. He served in E Troop, 35th Constabulary Squadon in Füssen, Germany, c. 1946-1947.

Uniform of a veteran of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which was the 2nd Constabulary Regiment c. 1946-1948, and 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment c. 1948-1952.

15th Constabulary Squadron Military Police uniform, tailored from a four-pocket jacket. It is complete with MP whistle and cords. Of interest is the US-made "Constabulary" tab, which may have been added by the veteran after their service.

14th Armored Cavalry Regiment uniform. This uniform was worn by a Minnesota veteran of the HQ, 14th Constabulary Regiment/14th Armored Cavalry c. 1948-1949. The 14th Constab was reorganized as an Armored Cavalry Regiment circa 1948.

16th Constabulary (Separate) uniform. This unnamed uniform was worn in Berlin by a trooper of the 16th Constabulary Squadron (Sep), which was the only one authorized the "Constabulary" shoulder tab.

6th Constabulary Regiment uniform. It was worn by a Hawaiian veteran of the 24th Infantry Division.

91st Constabulary Squadron Officer's Uniform. This uniform was worn by an Iowa officer of the 91st Constabulary Squadron, formerly the 91st Field Artillery of the 1st Armored Division. 

Constabulary/7th Army Uniform. This uniform was worn by a Milwaukee veteran, featuring beautiful bullion Constab and 7th Army patches.

This Constabulary Ike was worn by a Military Police veteran who also served in the Berlin District.

16th Constabulary (Seperate) uniform. This fantastic example was worn by a veteran of the 16th Constabulary (Sep) in Berlin. It features a unique double-tabbed Berlin SSI, "Escort" sleeve designation, and embroidered Berlin DUIs on the shoulders.

German-made shield-type DUI

German-made shield-type DUI

Large German-made DUI

Small German-made DUI

German-made DUI

Brass German-made DUI

German-made DUI

Pot metal German-made DUI

Aluminum German-made DUI

US-made DUI

US-made DUI

US-made DUI

German-made "C" DUI

1st Tank Battalion
1st Constabulary Squadron

2nd Cavalry Recon Squadron
2nd Constabulary Squadron
42nd Constabulary Squadron

4th Cavalry Recon Squadron
4th Constabulary Squadron

6th Cavalry Recon Squadron
6th Constabulary Squadron
28th Constabulary Squadron

10th Armored Infantry Bn
10th Constabulary Squadron

6th Armored Infantry Battalion
12th Constabulary Squadron

13th Tank Battalion
13th Constabulary Squadron

14th Cavalry Regiment
14th Constabulary Regiment
14th Armored Cavalry Regiment

14th Cavalry Regiment
14th Constabulary Regiment
14th Armored Cavalry Regiment

15th Cavalry Recon Squadron
15th Constabulary Squadron

16th Constabulary Squadron (Sep)

22nd Armored Field Artillery Bn.
22nd Constabulary Squadron

24th Reconaissance Squadron
24th Constabulary Squadron

27th Armored Field Artillery Bn
27th Constabulary Squadron

51st Armored Infantry Bn
51st Constabulary Squadron

53rd Armored Infantry Bn
53rd Constabulary Squadron

66th Armored Field Artillery Bn
66th Constabulary Squadron

68th Armored Field Artillery Bn
68th Constabulary Squadron

4th Tank Battalion
72nd Constabulary Squadron

81st Cavalry Recon Squadron
81st Constabulary Squadron

81st Cavalry Recon Squadron
81st Constabulary Squadron

91st Armored Field Artillery Bn
91st Constabulary Squadron

94th Armored Field Artillery Bn
94th Constabulary Squadron

97th Signal Battalion
97th Constabulary Squadron

70th Armored Field Artillery Bn
7732nd Field Artillery Group

74th Armored Field Artillery Bn
7732nd Field Artillery Group

517th Field Arillery Battalion
7732nd Field Artillery Group

519th Field Artillery Battalion
7732nd Field Artillery Group

54th Engineer Battalion
US Constabulary

547th Engineer Combat Battalion
US Constabulary

73rd Armored Ordnance Battalion
US Constabulary

465th AAA AWB
Constabulary School Squadron

370th Armored Infantry Battalion
US Constabulary

371st Armored Infantry Battalion
US Constabulary

373rd Armored Infantry Battalion
US Constabulary

7th US Army
Absorbed Constab units c. 1950-2