Editing Postschutz

{{Infobox government agency
| name = Postschutz
| native_name = Postschutz der Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
| type = Protection service
| formed = 1972
| dissolved = 30 November 2024
| jurisdiction = [[Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
| headquarters = [[Georgetown]], [[Tanoa]]
| parent_agency = [[Ordnungspolizei]]
}}

The '''Postschutz''' was a specialist protection branch of the [[Ordnungspolizei]] from 1972 until 30 November 2024.<ref name="ordnungspolizei"/> It was created after attacks and attempted sabotage against postal and telephone facilities in [[Argentina]] during 1971 and 1972. The branch initially guarded post offices, mail routes and communications facilities. From 1986, it also guarded government computer centres and equipment used by state data networks.

== History ==
During 1971 and 1972, attacks and attempted sabotage against postal and telephone facilities in Argentina forced the Ordnungspolizei to place ordinary police officers on guard at affected buildings. In 1972, the Postschutz was formed to take over this work permanently. Its central command was based in [[Georgetown]], while a regional command in [[Buenos Aires]] supervised the much larger number of assignments in Argentina.

The branch deliberately reused the name of the [[Postschutz (Nazi Germany)|Postschutz]] of Nazi Germany. [[Jan Paap]] had adopted German institutional names elsewhere in the Tanoan government and believed that the structures used by Nazi Germany could have been run more effectively. The Tanoan Postschutz developed separately for the needs of the territories under his government.

An African regional command opened in [[Monrovia]] on 1 October 1980. Guards were placed at the city's main postal and telephone facilities, and Postschutz escorts accompanied official mail travelling between Monrovia and [[Roberts International Airport]]. The Monrovia command also trained personnel for assignments elsewhere in the African territories.

When fire broke out at Monrovia's central telephone exchange on 17 February 1986, Postschutz guards already stationed there cleared staff from the building and kept the entrances closed except for firefighters and repair crews. After the fire, the regional command escorted replacement equipment from Roberts International Airport to the exchange.

By 1986, government ministries and security bodies were sending more messages and records through state computer networks. The Postschutz began placing permanent guards at several government data centres in Buenos Aires, where different ministries and security bodies maintained their own computer systems. It also guarded the network equipment linking these centres to government offices. Postal buildings and mail transport remained under Postschutz protection, but physical government mail accounted for less of its work as electronic communication increased.

The Postschutz continued operating until the final collapse of the Tanoan government. After [[Eef Paap]] was killed on 24 November 2024, regional authorities stopped receiving reliable orders from the central government.<ref name="eef-collapse"/> Postschutz commands in Buenos Aires, Monrovia and other areas continued guarding sites that had already been assigned to them. The organization ceased to exist on 30 November, when the government stopped functioning.<ref name="government-collapse"/> Personnel then left their posts or handed the facilities they were guarding to local authorities.

== Organization and personnel ==
The Postschutz reported to the central command of the Ordnungspolizei in Georgetown.<ref name="ordnungspolizei"/> The branch was headed by the '''Chef des Postschutzes''', who normally held the rank of [[SS-Brigadeführer]]. Regional commanders normally held the rank of [[SS-Standartenführer]].

The Buenos Aires regional command had existed since the formation of the Postschutz in 1972. The Monrovia command followed on 1 October 1980 as a permanent command for the African territories.

The branch used full-time Postschutz personnel alongside selected postal and telecommunications employees who served as auxiliaries. Full-time personnel received longer training for guard and escort work. Auxiliaries completed shorter armed-security courses before returning to their normal workplaces with additional Postschutz duties.

Training was organized regionally. Postschutz schools operated in Georgetown and Buenos Aires, with a third school established in Monrovia after the African regional command opened. This allowed guards and auxiliaries to be trained close to the facilities where they would serve.

== See also ==
* [[Ordnungspolizei]]
* [[BahnSchutzpolizei]]
* [[Werkschutzpolizei]]
* [[1986 Monrovia telephone exchange fire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="ordnungspolizei">"[[Ordnungspolizei#Subdepartments|Subdepartments]]". ''Ordnungspolizei''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="eef-collapse">"[[Eef Paap#Collapse of the regime|Collapse of the regime]]". ''Eef Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="government-collapse">"[[Government of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen#Collapse|Collapse]]". ''Government of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
[[Category:Vriend Era]]
[[Category:Tanoa Einsatzgruppen organizations]]
[[Category:Ordnungspolizei]]

{{SS organizations}}