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The primary mission assigned to the RLB was to protect the cities and population from hostile attacks. This group was also charged with training the civilian population in civil defence subjects and air raid precautions. With the exception of a small cadre of career officers, the remainder of the force was composed of volunteers similar to the U.S. Civil Defence Corps. The RLB was actually subdivided into two separate formations: 1)… the Luftschutz (Air Raid Protection) 2)… the Warndienst (Air Raid Warning Service). After 1943, the Warndiest became a part of the German Order Police although it still functioned as the Air Raid Warning Service of the Reich. By 1939 over 15 million men had joined the RLB as volunteers. Volunteers had to purchase their own steel helmets and had no uniform. These volunteers mainly managed the air raid shelters on a street by street basis. The small cadre of career officers carried out training and management of the volunteer force. As the war progressed the role of the RLB was expanded to include search and rescue, fire fighting, decontamination, demolition of damaged buildings etc. |
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Dagger Information – 1936 RLB Dagger At the same time as introducing the 1936 RLB knife, a 39 cm dagger was created for presentation upon selected salaried officers of the RLB between the ranks of Fuhrer and Prasident. It was similar to the 1936 RLB knife but varied in the following features 1)… The grip and scabbard were wrapped in blue-black morocco leather 2)… The Pommel was more flattened. 3)… The eagle’s wings on the cross guard were extended. 4)… Its grip insignia was silhouetted 5)… The blade was longer at 25 cm. 6)… The scabbard had a silver plated top scabbard and suspension ring fitting. As with the RLB knife, a small leather hanger was fitted. No Portapee was worn with the dagger and, as the RLB knife, was only awarded to select individuals Dagger Information – 1936 RLB Dagger In 1938 the RLB officers dagger was altered to include the updated Luftshutz grip insignia of the black swastika and also a detachable dual strap black leather hanger. The new dual strap leather hanger had white metal buckles with oak leaf designs. To allow the new hangers to be worn, a new central silver plated hanger mount and suspension ring was fitted into the middle of the scabbard. The remainder of the dagger remained the same as the 1936 RLB dagger. Production of the RLB dagger ceased in 1942 |
