History

Armbands were usually used to identify a soldier’s special duty position or function. It would normally only be worn in the carrying out of said duty or function. It could also be used to identify a civilian as an official employee of the army.

Most armbands were worn on the left upper sleeve, but there were exceptions to this rule.

Air Defense Guard Duty (Ordnungs- und Absperrdienst) personnel wore a dark blue armband with a white letter “O”.