Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is very nice set of two German WWII Armbands from the Reichsluftschutzbund (National Air Raid Protection League), often shortened to Luftschutz (Air Raid Protection). The organization was involved in all aspects of the response to bombing raids, and as such had a large number of different operational armbands, which in some cases are hard to identify due to multiple local variations.

The first armband in the set is a Werkluftschutz (Factory Air Raid Protection) Warden armband (Ärmelbinde), one of several that were used by specialized personnel of the Reichsluftschutzbund, the German air raid defense organization during WWII. The design features a light green rayon band with a white rayon ribbon letter W, which indicates that they are a "Warden", though there is some disagreement over what the "W" stands for in German. The armband measures approximately 14 1/2" x 4 1/4", and is sewn together in the back. We have seen these in several different colors, and do not know what that signifies, as these are usually red. Condition is very good, showing wear and staining from service.

The second armband in the set is an unissued BeVo machine embroidered Luftschutz Warndienst (Air Raid Warning Service) armband (Ärmelbinde), which is green with L. S. Warndienst embroidered in white gothic style letters. The armband measures approximately 16 3/8" x 2", and is not sewn together at all, indicating it was never used, just cut off the long machine embroidered strip. It shows some light staining as well as fraying at the ends, but little other wear.

Two armbands from the German WWII Air raid protection service, ready to add to your German Armband collection!

History of the RLB

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) (National Air Raid Protection League) 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.