Das Reich 1942 Historical Archives

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The History of the RAD

The RAD or Reich's Arbeits Deinst provided the backbone of Hitler's labour forces and dug the bunkers and Autobahns of the Third Reich.

The origins of the RAD date back to the early 1930's  when the pre war Weihmar government established the Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst (Translated : Volunteer Labour Service) and was established to create jobs and reduce unemployment and was a way of regulating government construction work. The organization was headed by Konstantin Hierl

In 1933 the organization came under Nazi power and rule and was renamed the RAD. Service in the RAD soon became compulsory for males between the age of 18 and 25. They were required to serve a minimum of 6 months service. Up until the outbreak of war the RAD were a peaceful organization, but when war broke out the came under the control of the Wehrmacht and was required to provide logistical support and construction of defences and bunkers.

Gun position at Point Du Hoc, France 2000

One of the most ambitious tasks given to the RAD was the construction of the Atlantic Wall. This was a maze of gun positions of all sizes and calibre's, from naval big guns down to machine gun positions. The Atlantic wall intended to be a impenetrable defensive wall running all the way along the French coast and the coasts of Holland and Norway. Although when D-day cam in June 1944 the defensives proved to be woefully uncompleted.

By Davai Goosey