German WW2 Rheinmagen Flugzeugbau Factory Forced workers ID badge
The 'L.B.' most likely stands for the company G. Leitbau Klotz, used for the REIMAHG-A aircraft factory near Kahla, Thuringia, Germany while constructing the underground Me 262 jet factory. The badge dates between 1944-45. ReiMaGH = factory of ReichMarschall Hermann Göring.
For us this is a really interesting and hard to find badge from a Top Secret Luftwaffe factory.
Badge is numbered 580, it might be possible to do more research but from what we have heard most of the archives were destroyed at the end of the war.
Badge was found in this area many years ago by a reseacher and scientist.
For this type of badge the condition is quite good. Normally most of the red paint is gone.
Photo and paper is not included but feel free to download the pictures and keep them with the badge.
HISTORY
Walpersberg
In 1944, a construction project was commenced by Nazi Germany to convert the former sand mines at the Walpersberg to a bomb-proof underground factory for the production of the Messerschmitt Me 262. To achieve this, the existing tunnel system was extended to 30 km by the use of over 12,000 forced labourers from Italy and Eastern Europe, and a further 3,000 skilled workers. Conversion of the former sand mines into the aircraft factory led to construction of a runway at the top of the Walpersberg. An inclined railway built into the side of the hill was used to move the aircraft from the ground level tunnel exit up to the runway, and the first Me 262 took off on 21 February 1945. Eventually only around 20 or 30 completed aircraft left the facility before it was liberated by US troops on 12–13 April 1945.
