Abstract: A rechargeable galvanic cell has a housing containing at least one negative zinc electrode, at least one positive metal oxide or oxygen electrode, an alkaline electrolyte, at least one electrically conductive auxiliary structure exhibiting low hydrogen overvoltage, for cathodic hydrogen evolution which is not conductively connected with the electrodes, and at least one microporous separator for separating said auxiliary structure from at least one of said electrodes. The structure simultaneously acts as an auxiliary electrode to effect afterdischarging of the zinc electrode when connected thereto and as a dendrite barrier to prevent short-circuiting between the negative and positive electrodes during operation of said cell and is arranged between one positive electrode and one negative electrode.