The Reich Air Ministry established the RLB in April 1923, from the existing Deutches Luftschutzverband (German Air Protection League) by Hermann Goring's declaration that the RLB was to be the official air raid protection service of the state.

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 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.

Dagger Information – 1936 RLB EM Knife

This knife was authorised during 1936 for dress wear by selected permanent NCO’s and subordinate personnel between the ranks of Obertruppmeister and Truppman. The knife was primarily made by Paul Weyersburg.

The blade was plain and 22 cm long.

The grip was made with a black wooden handle with the 1^st pattern Luftshutz insignia, an 8 pointed "star burst" with the initials "RLB" at its centre.

The cross guard was in the form of a stylised eagle with short open wings, its feet holding a plain circular wreath with a swastika at its centre.

The pommel was dome shaped, and same as the cross guard, nickel plated.

The scabbard was black stove enamelled and only had a single fitting at the chape which was nickel-plated. On the top of the scabbard was an unusual black painted triangular suspension fitting onto which the small leather hanger was fixed.

No Portapee was worn with the RLB knife. It was only awarded to worthy recipients, those who had long or meritorious service records. It could not be purchased privately

Dagger Information – 1938 RLB EM Knife

In 1938 the sunburst insignia on the RLB knife grip was redesigned. The RLB initials at the centre of the sunburst were replaced with a large black swastika. Other than this change, the 1938 knife was identical to the 1936 version.