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Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was a voluntary
organization designed to provide Civil air raid protection in large
civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascended to power the Deutsches
Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of
the Reichsluftfahrtministerium under the control of Hermann Göring. On
April 29th 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs
Luftschutz Bund and was given the status of an official National
organization tasked with all aspects of Civil Air Raid defense. The RLB
remained a voluntary organization with a small personnel of paid,
full-time uniformed officials to be in charge of the organization until
June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic
uniform and equipment items were supplied to the personnel, with the
rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26th 1938 a
specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a
raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets
commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40
and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead"
between the visors and crown. |
