{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-rlb-reichsluftschutzbund-air-raid-protection-pebbled-aluminum-em-nco-belt-buckle","title":"Original German WWII RLB Reichsluftschutzbund Air Raid Protection Pebbled Aluminum EM\/NCO Belt Buckle","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original German WWII enlisted\/NCO belt buckle for the \u003cstrong\u003eReichsluftschutzbund\u003c\/strong\u003e, or RLB, the National Air Raid Protection League. These distinctive buckles are considerably less commonly encountered than standard Heer, Luftwaffe, or other service buckles and make an interesting addition to a German civil defense collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckle is constructed from aluminum and features a finely pebbled outer field. At the center is a political-style national eagle with outstretched, slightly downward angled wings, clutching a swastika within a raised pebbled central field. The device is surrounded by an embossed laurel wreath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckle has seen a considerable amount of genuine service use. There is some slight deformation to the body along with oxidation and age toning to the aluminum surface. The raised insignia also shows wear from use, and the original black finish within the swastika has become faint in places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the wear, the principal design remains readily visible and the buckle retains an appealing untouched appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eReichsluftschutzbund\u003c\/strong\u003e, or National Air Raid Protection League, was established in 1933 under Hermann Göring and was responsible for organizing and educating the German civilian population in air raid protection and civil defense. Existing voluntary air protection organizations were subsequently absorbed into the RLB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe organization trained civilians in procedures intended to reduce the effects of aerial bombing, including firefighting, first response, protection against chemical weapons, communications, and the preparation of homes and businesses against air attack. Its organization extended from regional commands down to local neighborhoods and individual buildings, where air raid wardens and small intervention teams were responsible for immediate response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1939, the RLB had approximately 15 million members and hundreds of thousands of volunteer officials. Training was conducted through thousands of civil defense schools and instructors throughout Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RLB's organization was closely connected with the Luftwaffe and the Reich Ministry of Aviation. At the highest level it was directed by a \u003cem\u003ePräsidium\u003c\/em\u003e, while regional RLB groups corresponded broadly with Luftwaffe air districts. Below these were regional, municipal, neighborhood, and block-level organizations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the local level, \u003cem\u003eLuftschutzwarte\u003c\/em\u003e, or air raid wardens, coordinated civilian defense measures. Individual air raid protection communities could encompass an apartment building or group of smaller buildings and typically included assistant wardens, fire-fighting personnel, helpers, and messengers prepared to respond immediately following an attack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1939, the RLB became a \u003cem\u003eKörperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts\u003c\/em\u003e, giving it a formal public-law status, and in 1944 it became affiliated with the NSDAP. Following Germany's defeat in 1945, the organization was dissolved by the Allied authorities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an attractive service-used example of a relatively difficult-to-find RLB enlisted\/NCO belt buckle, retaining strong detail despite honest period wear and oxidation.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44824929927237,"sku":"ONSV26PCS300","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS300__01.jpg?v=1774876377","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-rlb-reichsluftschutzbund-air-raid-protection-pebbled-aluminum-em-nco-belt-buckle","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}