Original Item: Only One Available. This is very nice German WWII Werkluftschutz (Factory Air Raid Protection) Warden 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 red band with a white rayon machine embroidered 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 1/8", and is sewn together in the back.

Condition of the armband is excellent, and it does not look to have been used in the field for any long amount of time. It was however hemmed in at some point, so it used to be an inch or two more in circumference.

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.