Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare example of a German WWII Red Cross Volunteer armband, which bears the R.L.M. marking of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Ministry of Aviation). Created in 1933, it was under the direction of Hermann Göring, and responsible for overseeing all aviation concerns in Germany, both civilian and military. As was typical of the "personality driven" nature of many NSDAP, its efficiency was hampered by the whims of its leadership. However it still did achieve quite a lot.

Armbands like this were given to red cross volunteers who were specifically linked to the Air Ministry. It is similar to the standard German red cross armband, with a white cotton band featuring a machine embroidered red "Geneva cross" in the center. Above this is the "R.L.M." marking, and below is an issue stamp with a Reichsadler eagle in the center, with Kommiſſar der Freiwilligen Krankenpflege (Commissioner of Voluntary Nursing) around the outside. It measures about 14 1/4" x 4 1/4", and is sewn together in the back.

The armband shows light staining and age toning on both sides, but no tearing or holes are present. It looks to have been folded up for some time, and almost all of the staining is on the parts that are on the outside when it is folded up.

A lovely example of a rare RLM marked Red Cross Volunteer armband with a lovely service worn look, ready to add to your armband collection!

History of the German Red Cross (DRK)
The DRK, "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" (German Red Cross), a voluntary civil assistance organization originally instituted in 1864, was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention in 1929. In December 1937 it gained status as a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany, it came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior's Social Welfare Organization.

History of the "Red Cross" Symbol
It was important to clearly identify Medical personnel in the field. One of the early documents, such as the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Wounded in Armies in the Field signed August 22, 1864, by a number of Governments, already instructed that Flag and Arm Badges worn by Medical personnel would bear a Red Cross on a White Field. Both symbols when used on Hospitals, Ambulances, Evacuation and Aid Centers, were to be proof of their neutral status! These signs provided for neutrality of military and civilian protected personnel (it gave them non-belligerent status) exclusively engaged in removal, transportation, and treatment of wounded and sick, or the administration of sanitary formations and establishments, and entitled them to respect and protection from their enemies. The 1929 Geneva Convention which superseded the former agreement, was signed on July 27, 1929 by forty-seven countries (including the Axis countries, Germany, Italy, and Japan) and comprised numerous articles, among which Articles 9 and 21, recognizing that bearers of special identification cards and civilian protected personnel identified by armbands, and vehicles, and installations wearing Geneva Convention markings and markers, were all exclusively engaged in medical care activities, and consequently protected and respected by the Geneva Convention.