Luftschutz 2nd Class Award

Product Description: This Luftschutz 2nd Class Award is a high quality and likely early production example of this medal. The front of this award has a striking design, with a large central swastika emblem. The reverse bears the date the award was instituted- 1938. This medal is virtually pristine, with all of the original silver finish intact. The detail is crisp. There is no wear, and no sign that this medal was ever issued. The clean surface is nice and bright, with great shine, and only the slightest trace of age patina and toning. The original suspension ring remains intact, but there is no ribbon. This Luftschutz 2nd Class Award is close to perfect, and displays exceptionally well. It remains in outstanding, near mint condition.

Historical Description: German political and civil authorities began preparing for Allied air raids even before WWII started. The Reichs-Luftschutz-Bund (RLB), under the auspices of the German Luftwaffe, was the primary organization responsible for air raid protection and readiness. Shelters were constructed all over the German Reich, and civilians were issued gas masks. Members of the RLB wore many different kinds of uniforms and equipment, from fine regalia used in parades to work coveralls and protective equipment and gear for firefighting. After the outbreak of the war, the role of the Luftschutz was expanded, and other organizations were brought under the Luftschutz umbrella, including the Luftschutz-Warndienst, Luftschutzpolizei, and the Sicherheits- und Hilfsdienst. The men and women of the Luftschutz were tasked with extinguishing fires caused by incendiary bombs, often with nothing more than buckets of sand or water with hand pups. They maintained order in air raid bunkers and provided first aid to those injured in the bombings. In the day and night raids on the bombed-out cities, and even during the horrific firestorms that took the lives of thousands, the Luftschutz were on duty.

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