Air Protection Decoration

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Air Protection Decoration was donated in two stages by decree on January 30, 1938 on the occasion of the fifth return of the day of the national uprising by Adolf Hitler . It served as recognition for services to air protection and air defense and could be awarded to all persons who had confirmed themselves in these areas and had achieved special services. Wearing the badge is only allowed today in the so-called 57 version without National Socialist emblems.

In National Socialism

Today: Anti-Constitutional Propaganda : Air Protection Decoration of Honor (2nd level)
Version without swastika : Air Defense Medal (in the 57 version)
Images of the Air Protection Decoration from the Reich Law Gazette
Sample form for the list of proposals from the Reich Law Gazette

Articles of Association

Purpose and classification

The purpose of the Air Protection Decoration was to create recognition for services to air protection in Germany, whereby the award itself was awarded in two stages. Specifically this meant:

  • The 2nd level was awarded to people who had been active in the field of air defense in Germany after January 30, 1933 and who had made special contributions in this regard.
  • The 1st level was awarded to people who had made particularly outstanding contributions to the promotion of air protection in Germany.

nature

In the German award system of this time, the air raid protection badge occupies a certain special position, since both award levels differ fundamentally from each other in appearance. While the second stage was still introduced in the form of a medal based on the typical model, the first stage deviates completely from this form and instead shows a cross. Furthermore, it was strange that the 1st stage was not introduced as a cross , but that the same ribbon of the 2nd stage was to be used for this. Since both steps were only worn in their original size on the day they were awarded or on special festive occasions, the only visual distinguishing feature on the ribbon clasp was a reduced miniature of the awarded step.

2nd stage

The 2nd level air raid protection medal was a circular medal with a diameter of 40 mm and made of oxidized light metal. Its front showed a swastika in the middle of the wreath of oak leaves and the embossed inscription: FOR MERIT IN THE AIR PROTECTION . The back bore the foundation year 1938 within the oak leaf wreath , which was also embossed.

1st stage

The 1st level air raid protection badge, on the other hand, was a four-armed, golden cross with curly arms that showed the swastika in raised embossing in the middle, which was surrounded by a writing edge with the words: FOR MERIT IN AIR PROTECTION .

Carrying method

Both levels of the air raid protection badge were worn on a light purple ribbon with a black, white and red hem, whereby the ribbon itself could be worn on the left side of the chest, in the second buttonhole of the uniform or on the small medal buckle. When the 1st level was awarded, the 2nd had to be taken, but remained in the possession of the borrower.

Authority to award and suggestion system

Hitler reserved the award of the Air Protection Decoration for himself, whereby the proposals for the award had to be sent in duplicate by the Reich Minister of Aviation to the Presidential Chancellery of the Order Chancellery. This then brought about Hitler's decision. It was also expressly stipulated that there was no legal entitlement to the award of the Air Protection Decoration. When awarding the first stage, the entrusted received a certificate signed by Hitler, with awarding the second stage a certificate issued by the Minister of State and head of the presidential chancellery. Both stages and the document / certificate became the property of the borrower.

Revocation and withdrawal

Both levels of the Air Protection Decoration could be revoked by Hitler, either because the award was wrong or the entrusted was to be regarded as unworthy of the award due to his later behavior, in particular by committing a dishonorable crime. In this case, the Reich Minister of Aviation was responsible for the withdrawal.

Implementing regulation

proposals

As already mentioned, the proposals for the award of the Air Protection Award were incumbent on the Reich Minister of Aviation, who sent the proposals in duplicate to the Presidential Chancellery on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st of each year. An official form was to be used for this, which was available from the Reichsdruckerei. The award proposals had to be forwarded to the Reich Minister of Aviation. The following institutions were responsible for this:

  • the air forces on site,
  • the Reichsgruppe Industrie,
  • the Presidium of the Reich Air Defense and the
  • Supreme Reich and State Authorities

A justification was to be attached to the proposals. For the award of the second stage, these applications had to be submitted by March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, whereby the first stage award was not subject to this regulation. These suggestions could be submitted at any time.

publication

All awards of the Air Protection Decoration were then published in the German Reichsanzeiger and Prussian State Gazette by the Minister of State and head of the Presidential Chancellery. The Reich Minister of Aviation then also arranged for the announcement in the Air Force Ordinance Gazette.

Scope of air protection

At the time of the awarding of the Air Protection Decoration, it had to be clarified for which activities the decoration was to be awarded. The following subject areas came into consideration:

  • Flight reporting service
  • Air raid warning service
  • Security and emergency services (in air protection)
  • Air raid protection
  • Self-protection and the extended self-protection according to § 22 of the Air Protection Act

Scope of the award

The Air Protection Decoration could also be awarded to foreigners who had made a contribution to air protection in Germany. In general, when it came to awarding the first stage, a strict standard had to be applied when examining the award requirements. For both levels it was the case that the person to be lent had to have been active in the field of air protection for at least four years, whereby the time passed did not allow an "automatic" claim to the award. The four-year activity did not have to have been completed without interruption, although monetary (donations, etc.) and economic contributions of any kind were not to be regarded as "activity in air protection".

Delivery of the Air Protection Decoration

Both levels of the Air Protection Decoration were sent to members of the Wehrmacht, civil servants or civil servants via official channels. In the case of officials and members of the Reich Air Protection Association, the local air raid protection officer handed them over. With all deliveries, a record of the award was to be made, in which, in addition to the first and last name of the borrower, his job title and the date of delivery was noted.

Today: Anti-Constitutional Badge

In accordance with the law on titles, medals and decorations of July 26, 1957, wearing the award in the Federal Republic of Germany is only permitted without National Socialist emblems.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ordinance on the Foundation of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 71, introductory formula of the ordinance.
  2. ^ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 71, Article 1.
  3. ^ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 71, Article 2.
  4. ↑ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 71, Article 3 Paragraph 1.
  5. ^ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 3, Paragraph 2.
  6. ^ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 3, Paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6.
  7. ↑ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, Article 4, paragraph 1.
  8. ↑ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 4.
  9. ^ Statute of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 5.
  10. ↑ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reich Law Gazette No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 6.
  11. ^ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 72, Article 7.
  12. ↑ Implementing ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, § 1 paragraphs 1, 2.
  13. ↑ Statutes of the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, § 1 paragraph 7.
  14. ↑ Implementing ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, § 1 paragraphs 4, 5 and 6.
  15. ↑ Implementation ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, § 2.
  16. ↑ Implementation ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 73, § 3.
  17. ↑ Implementation ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, pp. 73 and 74, § 4.
  18. ↑ Implementing Ordinance for the Ordinance on the Air Protection Decoration, Reichsgesetzblatt No. 8 of January 30, 1938, p. 74, § 5.