GERMAN AIR RAID PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS: Germany. World War II. Germany, to a greater degree than the other major combatants, reorganized its civil defense system during the period from 1933 through 1945 to reflect both political and defensive requirements. A chronology and lineage of the organizations reflects these changes.

29 April 1933 – Reichsluftschutzbund (National Air Raid Protection League) activated as the primary air raid protection organization. Primary branches are the Self-Protection Service and the Extended Self-Protection Service.

5 May 1933 – Reichskommissar fur die Luftfahrt (National Commissioner for Air Travel) Herman Goering assumes effective control of both active and passive air defense of Germany (Goering is also Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and Commander-in-Chief of the Prussian Police).

1935 – Ministry for Air Travel becomes the Air Ministry. Responsibility for air raid protection and Reichsluftschutzbund is officially linked to the Air Ministry under Minister for Air Hermann Goering.

1935 - Sicherheits und Hilfdienst (Security and Assistance Service) organized under the command of police officials.

unknown date - structure put in place for Works Air Raid Protection Services.

unknown date - Luftschutzwarndienst created.

1938 - National Air Protection School started.

1940 - Sicherheits und Hilfdienst mobile reserve created.

1942 - Sicherheits und Hilfdienst reorganized and retitled Luftschutz Polizei (Air Protection Police) and placed administratively under the Order Police under Reichsfuhrer der SS Heinrich Himmler. Apparently Goering retained operational control of these resources. Goering and Himmler were rivals in a political system that encouraged rivalry for Hitler’s approval among the senior leadership; this rivalry was intensified to some degree by both having connections to the police services and a desire for control of the regular police as a power base.

1942 - Sicherheits und Hilfdienst mobile reserve units transferred to the Air Force and renamed Luftwaffe Motorized Air Protection Battalions.

Davis, Brian L., Uniforms and Insignia of the Luftwaffe, Volume 2: 1940-1945, London, United Kingdom, Arms and Armour Press, 1995.

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