Original Item: Only One Available. This is very nice service used German WWII Werkluftschutz (Factory Air Raid Protection) armband (Ärmelbinde), made from what we believe is machine woven cotton. This pattern of armband is one of several that were used by specialized personnel of the Reichsluftschutzbund, the German air raid defense organization during WWII. The design features a blue band with a white machine embroidered letter WERKLUFTSCHUTZ, which is in the later war "Latin" sans serif font. The armband measures approximately 12 1/2" x 3 5/8", and is sewn together in the back.

The armband looks to have seen long use during the war, and shows fraying, staining, and small tears. A great "salty" service used example, 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.