{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-armband-lot-1-wehrmacht-non-german-civilian-service-armband-and-1-stretcher-bearer-armband-2-items","title":"Original German WWII Armband Lot - (1) Wehrmacht Non-German Civilian Service Armband and (1) Stretcher Bearer Armband - 2 Items","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Lot of 2 Available. The \"armband system\" was instituted by the NSDAP Party in 1939 at the same time that the political leadership ranks were expanded into their final form. The purpose of the armband system was to denote positional titles within the NSDAP Party in contrast to a party member's political rank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were three groupings of armbands, classified as \"operational\", \"administrative\", and \"command\". The operational armbands were used by Party political leaders on the local and county levels and were worn by those Party leaders directly engaged in implementing Party policies to the public. During World War II, this was most often associated with food rationing, war relief efforts, and civil defense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe administrative armbands were worn by office staff across all levels of the party, although mostly were used by the regional staff of the Gauleiters. The third, and least common of the armbands, were the command armbands worn by the Deputy Gauleiters, Gauleiters, and Reichsleiters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Party armbands were intended for immediate implementation upon the outbreak of World War II in 1939, although it was not until 1943 that the system was in total effect. Even then, photographic evidence reveals it was not uncommon for some political leaders to simply wear the pre-1939 bare swas armband, with some photographs as late as 1945 revealing political leaders failing to wear the appropriate NSDAP positional armband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Armbands In This Lot:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Deutsche Wehrmacht Non-German Helper Armband:\u003c\/strong\u003e The white printed \u003cstrong\u003eIm Dienst der Deutschen Wehrmacht\u003c\/strong\u003e (\"In Service of the German Armed Forces\") armband was introduced on 1 October 1941 for wear by non-German civilians serving the Armed Forces and for Russian Auxiliaries when not in uniform. The armband was worn on the upper left sleeve. These were necessary to identify the growing sector of non-uniformed personnel serving in a military capacity with a branch of the German armed forces. Often, these were worn by men of the Reichsarbeitsdienst and Reichsbahn who were operating with the German Army in the occupied countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe armband measures 15 1\/4\" x 34 1\/6\", with the ends sewn together in the back. It does not have any depot stamps, and shows overall age toning and light staining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Hilfs=Krankenträger (Stretcher Bearer) Embroidered Armband:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a lovely example of a 1st pattern stretcher bearer armband. It is made out of an off-white cotton base that has a black machine embroidered cotton inscription. The obverse reads: \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHilfs=Krankentrager\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (Stretcher Bearers) in black gothic text, which is surrounded by a black rectangular border and all lies on the white base. Measures 14 1\/2\" x 3 3\/4\", and is sewn together in the back. It shows some light staining and overall wear, with a tear and some fraying on the right side where it is folded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a lovely lot of armbands. Comes more than ready for display.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42277451759685,"sku":"ONSV24JPH032","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24JPH032__01.jpg?v=1736974850","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-armband-lot-1-wehrmacht-non-german-civilian-service-armband-and-1-stretcher-bearer-armband-2-items","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}