Discriminatory armband

The Jews working in the Wehrmacht barracks were required to wear armbands marked with the letter A inscribed in the Star of David. The letter A referred to the word Arbeiter (German worker). Including it in the six-pointed star, which is a commonly recognised symbol of Judaism, was to dispel all doubts about social affiliation and the intended treatment of a forced worker by guards. There was an additional number under the star, assigned to every person who worked for the Wehrmacht. In the case of Jakub Sobel, it was 110659. The headband is made of undyed linen fabric. There is a symbol of a six-pointed star (Star of David) in its central part, embroidered with grey and blue thread. Inside, the letter A is also embroidered in red. Under the star, there is the number 110659, also embroidered with red thread. The whole thing was made by hand, cross-stitch, using cotton threads. A stamp made with black ink is visible on the right side of the embroidery (below the half of the band height). A rectangular strip of fabric was sewn on the side opposite the embroidery with the seam on the inside of the wearer's arm. The material is secured with a lining along the top and bottom edges.

Marta Frączkiewicz