Original WWII Nazi Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) Membership Card and NSDAP Armband with RZM Stamp and Original Stamped Hiltler Postcard. N 151. Original WWII Nazi Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) Membership Card and NSDAP Armband with RZM Stamp and Original Stamped Hiltler Postcard. N 151. Antique & Militaria

The RLB 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 Nazi Party. RLB was dissolved by the Allied Powers after the end of World War II. Its successor in the Federal Republic of Germany was the Bundesverband für den Selbstschutz. The RLB oversaw educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defence 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 included fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids. The armband was originally adopted to distinguish members of the NSDAP from members of other political parties. This was particularly important for the proto-SA whose only uniform, if they had one, was that of the old Imperial Army or of the various Freekorps of which many were veterans. Many of their political opponents were also veterans and wore the same uniforms and in the frequent street fights between factions, they needed a “field sign” to tell friend from foe. Later armbands became a cheap way for Pary members without a paid party position (and uniform) to indicate their status at political rallies and other functions. In 1939 a new system of armbands was introduced whose designs indicated the wearers party rank. This armband is in very good order, retaining its colour and stitching with RZM stamp. The Reichsluftschutzbund Membership Card is in an as equally good condition the cover and internal pages all intact showing service records and stamps. The price for the group includes UK delivery. N 151.