Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII second Pattern RLB (ReichsLuftschutzBund) Cotton Armband. The blue cotton band is still very soft with a great color, with the machine embroidered swas (hook cross) and starburst organizational emblem of the Reichsluftschutzbund still in excellent condition. Measures about 15" x 3 7/8", sewn together in the back with a French seam.

All in all this is a very fine RLB Armband, with some areas of staining due to age, and some light wear. There is also a single stitch in the back, possibly a tack stitch used to attach it to a uniform for a time. These are always hard to find, especially in such nice condition.

History of the RLB
The RLB was organized by Hermann Göring in 1933 as a voluntary association. Existing volunteer air raid precaution associations were forced to merge with RLB. In 1939 the RLB became a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization), while in 1944 it became an affiliated organization of the NSDAP Party. It was in charge of educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defense procedures necessary for the basic level of local self-help of the civil population against air raids. The local level was formed around air raid wardens and operated in small first intervention squads. The training include fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids.