Service uniform and insignia of the Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB), the 'National Air Raid Protection League' in Nazi Germany, 1937
Illustration: Deutsche Uniformen (Verlag Moritz Ruhl, Leipzig)
RLB insignia, 1939
Illustration: Deutsche Uniformen (later edition)

Uniforms and insignia of the Reichsluftschutzbund were paramilitary titles adopted by the Reichsluftschutzbund (transl. State Air Protection Corps – RLB) for wear on paramilitary uniforms of the RLB.

Uniforms

Much like the uniforms of the SA and the SS, the RLB maintained its own elaborate system of uniforms and ranks. While most often a field uniform was worn, that had little accoutrements beyond rank, a shoulder band with RLB insignia, a helmet with RLB identification on it and occasionally a gorget; a service coat did exist, which was modeled off of the standard Nazi Party paramilitary dress.[1] The Nazi armband was worn on the service coat, but was absent on the field uniform, where it was replaced by the RLB armband. A badge that had the initials of the Reichsluftschutzbund on it also existed, and was worn by members both in and out of uniform.

Women could also volunteer for the RLB, and were permitted to wear the field uniform, but without rank.

Table of ranks

Collar insignia[2] Shoulder insignia[2] RLB rank[3] Translation Luftwaffe equivalent
Reichsluftschutzbund-Präsident Reichsluftschutzbund president General der Flieger
General-Hauptluftschutzführer General head air protection leader Generalleutnant
Generalluftschutzführer General air protection leader Generalmajor
Oberstluftschutzführer Chief air protection leader Oberst
Oberststabsluftschutzführer Chief staff air protection leader Oberstleutnant
Stabsluftschutzführer Staff air protection leader Major
Hauptluftschutzführer Head air protection leader Hauptmann
Oberluftschutzführer Senior air protection leader Oberleutnant
Luftschutzführer Air protection leader Leutnant
Luftschutzobertruppmeister Senior master air protection trooper Feldwebel
Luftschutztruppmeister Master air protection trooper Unteroffizier
Luftschutzobertruppwart Senior air protection trooper warden Hauptgefreiter
Luftschutztruppwart Air protection trooper warden Obergefreiter
Luftschutzobertruppmann Senior air protection trooper Gefreiter
Luftschutztruppmann Air protection trooper Flieger

References

  1. ^ http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/uniformen/rlb.htm
  2. ^ a b Steiner-Welz, Sonja (2005). Die Deutsche Wehrmacht 1933-1945. Mannheim: Welz, Reinhard, Vermittlerverlag, plate 136.
  3. ^ Jährig, Horstjoachim (1938). Deutscher Luftschutz : Jahrbuch im Auftrag des Präsidiums Reichsluftschutzbundes bearbeitet von LS-Hauptführer Horstjoachim Jährig (in German). Berlin: Riegler Verlag. p. 21. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
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