During the 1^st world war, the German Railway (Eisenbahn) had the most extension railway network in Europe. It proved vital in maintaining the provision of troops and material to the German war effort on two fronts for 3 years. As a result of the Versailles settlement, the Eisenbahn was made a subject of war reparations.

Under the Nazi regime, the railways once again became of strategic importance to the 3^rd Reich. In 1935 all railway authorities were united under a single authority (Deutsche Reichsbahn) with independent funds, administrative and operational authority. By 1935 the Reichsbahn employed 1,400,000 staff across Europe in support of the Wehrmacht.

In 1933, the German government established the Bahnschutz (railroad special protection force). This organisation, the personnel of which were drawn from railroad employees, was responsible for the protection of the railroads in time of war and civil disorder. Three basic armed security arms acted for the Reichsbahn:

1)… Bahnschutz – protected rail property from theft and sabotage.

2)… Bahnpolizei – kept discipline within the rail workforce.

3)… Wassershutzpolitzei – patrolled railway facilities in harbours, canals & waterways.

In 1937, Hitler brought the German Railway System under complete national control.