World War II German Military Police

During World War II, German military police forces, primarily the Feldgendarmerie, played a crucial role in maintaining order within the Wehrmacht and occupied territories. Nicknamed the "chain dogs" (Kettenhunde) for the chains they wore around their necks as part of their uniforms, the Feldgendarmerie were tasked with duties ranging from traffic control, prisoner management, and anti-partisan operations to enforcing discipline among German troops. They had the authority to arrest soldiers for desertion, insubordination, or other breaches of military law, often acting with strict and sometimes brutal efficiency.

Beyond the battlefield, they helped impose Nazi rule across Europe, collaborating with the SS and Gestapo in security operations and suppression of resistance movements. In the later stages of the war, as desertion rates rose, the Feldgendarmerie became infamous for their harsh measures against retreating or defeated German forces. Their dual role as both battlefield regulators and political enforcers made them a feared presence among friend and foe alike.