About the item:
Nice and in very good condition Air defence 2nd class medal (Luftschutz medaille) . The medal is NOT maker marked.
About the RLB:
The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB), or Reich Air Protection League, served as a major civil defense organization in Nazi Germany. Its primary goal was to improve air raid protection for civilians, especially in private homes, apartment buildings, and small businesses. The organization played an important role in preparing the German population for the increasing threat of aerial warfare during the 1930s and World War II.
Hermann Göring founded the RLB in 1933 as a voluntary association. From the beginning, the organization focused on educating citizens about air raid safety. Members learned how to respond during bomb attacks, build air raid shelters, and reduce fire risks after explosions. The RLB distributed instructional materials and organized training courses across Germany.
As the Nazi regime strengthened its control, it merged several smaller air raid protection groups into the RLB. This move centralized civil defense and increased the organization’s reach. By doing so, the government ensured that air raid preparation followed a unified system across the country.
In 1939, the RLB received official legal status as a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts, which gave it a semi-public role. With this change, authorities expanded its responsibilities and influence. The organization continued to grow rapidly as the threat of Allied bombing increased during the war.
By 1944, the RLB operated as an affiliate of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). It worked closely with other state and party organizations to support wartime defense efforts. Its activities became more focused on maintaining public order and minimizing damage during air raids.
After the end of World War II, the Allied Powers dissolved the Reichsluftschutzbund as part of the denazification process. In West Germany, civil defense responsibilities later shifted to the Bundesverband für den Selbstschutz, which continued similar work under a democratic system.
Today, the RLB remains an important topic in WW2 history and German civil defense studies, offering insight into how Nazi Germany organized and controlled civilian protection during wartime.
