Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very attractive German First Pattern Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) Leader’s Armband, or Armbinde für führer, displaying the distinctive early RLB insignia and the silver edging reserved for personnel serving in leadership positions. The RLB was Germany’s national civil air-defense organization, responsible for educating and organizing the civilian population for air-raid precautions, firefighting, first aid, gas protection, blackout procedures, and related emergency measures.

The armband is constructed from dark blue woven fabric with a large machine-woven RLB emblem centered on the front. This is the First Pattern organizational emblem, consisting of a white radiating starburst bearing the stylized dark blue letters RLB above a small canted swas. This early insignia was used during the formative years of the organization before the RLB adopted its simplified later emblem in 1938, which eliminated the lettering and greatly enlarged the central swas.

Of particular note are the bands of silver-colored metallic tresse running along both the upper and lower edges. These distinguish the piece from the standard membership armband and identify it as a führer, or Leader’s, armband. Even more interesting is the woven manufacturer's marking beside the reverse seam:

ERHA-WUPPERTAL
 GES. GESCH.

ERHA-Wuppertal is a documented maker marking encountered on original RLB armbands. GES. GESCH. is the abbreviation for Gesetzlich Geschützt, indicating that the design was legally protected.

Condition is very good overall, with strong blue color and a crisp, well-defined woven emblem. The silver tresse shows a pleasing age tone, with some scattered staining, light spotting, and minor fraying around the reverse seam. Despite this honest wear, the armband remains solid and displays very well.

Approximate Dimensions: 15” x 3 ⅞”

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB), or National Air Raid Protection League, was established on April 29, 1933 under Hermann Göring and soon placed under the authority of the newly created Reich Air Ministry. Its purpose was to organize and train Germany’s civilian population for air-raid defense at a time when military planners increasingly expected future wars to involve large-scale aerial bombing of cities and industrial centers. The RLB therefore became one of the principal organizations responsible for preparing the German home front for this new form of warfare.

The RLB focused on civilian Luftschutz, or air protection, organizing local air-raid communities and training wardens to assist civilians during attacks. Instruction covered firefighting, first aid, gas protection, blackout procedures, warning systems, and the preparation of shelters and emergency exits. By the late 1930s, the RLB had grown into one of Germany’s largest mass organizations, with more than 13.5 million members by 1939. Its role became increasingly important during WWII as Allied bombing intensified, making air-raid wardens, firefighting groups, shelter preparation, and blackout regulations part of everyday life. Like many organizations of the period, the RLB also served the regime’s broader effort to organize and control civilian society, reinforcing the concept of the Heimatfront, or home front.