The Air Defence Decorations were instituted by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938, in two classes for award to German national personnel serving in the RLB (Reichs Luftschutz Bund), the SHD (Sicherheits und Hilfs Dienst), the Werkschutz, and the Ordnungspolizei, who had participated in the civil air defence of German from January 1933.