WWII German RAD WJ Brooch-This is for a female RAD member with the rank of maidenführerin. This would be awarded to young women between the ages of 18 and 21. This badge is made of steel, and shows rings around the edge. It has a beautiful bronze finish. The center image is the swastika above the two sheaths of wheat. This pin example is considered to be type 2, and you can see an example on pages 340 and 341 in volume II of For Fuhrer and Fatherland by Angolia. The pin functions as intended. There is some rusting on the reverse, but this is minor. Overall, this is a pretty badge in very good condition.
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.