Description

German WWII Female RAD Leader's Brooch in Silver-This is the oval shaped badge that shows a swastika with two sheaths of wheat. This badge would have been awarded to those who had passed all of their merit tests and who were promoted largely on the basis of these merits. This group held the higher leadership positions. This group of women were also entitled to wear their brooches at the base of their throat. These badges came in bronze silver and gold. This is the silver badge that has lost all of its original silver finish on the obverse. The details on this badge are great. It is very clear, and it has a great runic look to it. The silver remains on the reverse. This badge is also very nicely marked on the reverse with 'a.n.g', a maker that we have yet to identify. The pin functions as intended. Overall, this is very good.History: The female version of the male RAD, Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), was originally established in February 1933 and was considered a sub-section of the National Sozialistches Frauenschaft, (National Socialist Women's Organization). In April 1936 the female labor service was dissociated with the NS Frauenschaft and was given the official designation, RADwJ, Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend, (National Labor Service for Young females).The RADwJ was originally a voluntary organization in spite of regulations of June 1935 that dictated a six-month mandatory service period. Actual conscription of RADwJ personnel began in August 1936 but it wasn't until September 1939 that the mandatory six months service was enforced. In July 1941 the RADwJ War Helper's Service badge was instituted for award to personnel who had fulfilled their six-month mandatory service and volunteered for a further six months service to assist in the war effort. These volunteers were employed in a wide variety of jobs replacing the civilian male employees and enabling them to join the armed forces.

Related Products