Original Item: Only One Available. This is a German WWII second Pattern RLB (ReichsLuftschutzBund or "National Air Raid Protection") Cotton Armband, worn by members of the organization when on duty. The blue cotton band is still very soft with the correct light blue color, showing lines of staining from age and use. The front bears the embroidered swas (hook cross) and starburst organizational emblem of the Reichsluftschutzbund, still in excellent condition with no fraying.

The back of the RLB armband is manufacturer marked with a white stitched BEVO-WUPPERTAL, indicating manufacture by Bandfabrik Ewald Vorsteher in Wuppertal, Germany. This company specialized in high quality embroidery on thin fabrics, and made all types of insignia during the war. The armband measures approximately 15 x 4 inches and is joined at the rear with an internal French seam.

This German WWII second-pattern RLB armband retains its light-blue cotton body, embroidered organizational emblem, rear French seam, and clearly stitched BEVO-WUPPERTAL manufacturer marking. The embroidery remains well preserved without visible fraying, while the fabric is still soft and supple. Several lines and areas of staining are present from age and use, but there is no major fabric loss or structural damage noted. Overall, it remains a clearly identified and substantially complete example of a Reichsluftschutzbund armband with strong surviving manufacturer and organizational details.

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.