Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)
Reich Labor Service
1934-1945
The Reichsarbeitsdienst (or RAD, Reich Labor Service) was an organization set up in Nazi Germany in an effort to combat unemployment. It was initially similar to the Civilian Conservation Corps of the United States,
initiated by President Roosevelt, to help the country recover from the
Great Depression. During World War II, the RAD was an auxiliary force
which provided support for the Wehrmacht (Army).
The set of stamps in the image above was issued in 1944 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the RAD.
RAD Workers, about 1940
From the German Federal Archives
The
RAD was formed in July 1934 as an official state labor service. It was
created from an amalgamation of the many labor unions formed in Germany
during the Weimar Republic. RAD members provided service for various
civic, military, and agricultural construction projects. Konstantin
Hierl was its leader throughout the organization's lifetime.
Stamps issued in 1943 to publicize RAD Workers
The
Reichsarbeitsdienst was divided into 40 districts, each called an
Arbeitsgau. Each of these districts was headed by an officer with
headquarters staff and a Guard Company. Within each district were
between six and eight Arbeitsgruppen, or Workers Groups, battalion-sized
formations of 1200-1800 workers. These groups were finally divided into
six company-sized units. Each rank and file RAD man was supplied with a
spade and a bicycle. The RAD symbol, an arm badge in the shape of a
downward pointing shovel blade, was displayed on the upper left shoulder
of all uniforms.
Throughout the course of World War II, the
RAD was involved in many military projects. The RAD units constructed
coastal fortifications, laid minefields, manned fortifications, and even
helped guard vital locations. The role of the RAD was not limited to
purely combat support roles. Several RAD units saw ground combat on the
eastern front, and as the German defenses crumbled, more and more RAD
members were committed to combat roles.
The image above shows the cover and
first page of a Reichsarbeitsdienst membership booklet. This particular
member enlisted in the RAD on April 3, 1937, for a period of six
months. The remaining pages of the booklet contain photographs of Der
Führer and Reichs Chancellor, Adolph Hitler; Reichsarbeitsführer
Konstantin Hierl; and Generalarbeitsführer von Alten, leader of the
Arbeitsgaues XV - Saxony, along with workers slogans by each of them.
Following a six month enlistment in the RAD, members were allowed to join the Wehrmacht, if they wished to.
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