A Most Rare Customs Border Guards In Occupied France Id Booklet

A Zollgrenzschutz Frankreich (Customs Border Guards France) ID booklet, 28 pages, measuring 95x115mm, extremely fine condition with minor scuffing and some age-related discolouration. The owner is Valentin Grimm, Hilfszollassistent (Deputy Customs Assistant) (since January 1, 1944), working at the command post of Vannes-Arradon (Brittany, northwestern France) since July 1st, 1943.

Footnote: Valentin Grimm was born on September 16, 1895 in Essen, western Germany. He worked as a waiter and was married to Else Grimm née Reher. The Zollgrenzschutz was a paramilitary organisation, acting as both a Customs and Immigration service, as well as Border Patrol between 1937 and 1945. During the war, they were deployed to the occupied countries, with the majority (approx. 10,000 men) being stationed in France. Since more and more men of the Zollgrenzschutz were eventually redeployed to the army, they were replaced by either Volksdeutsche (foreigners seen as racially German, collaborators) or Germans born before 1900. These men, including Grimm, were placed in the category of Verstärkter Grenzaufsichtsdienst (VGAD) (Reinforced Border Custody Service).