Craig Smith 9/13/25 Craig Smith 9/13/25

WWII Civilian Defense Air Raid Precautions Reference Card

An interesting reference card to remind homeowners what to do in the event of an air raid. The card has the name of the local Air Raid Warden at the bottom (in this case a Mr. Jack Smith). Interestingly, the emblem for Air Raid Wardens has been reveresed.

Craig Smith 9/12/25 Craig Smith 9/12/25

Air Raid Warden Celluloid Pin Badge

A small celluloid pin badge for the lapel of a jacket or dress. It has the Citizens Defense Corps emblem for an Air Raid Warden. On the rear is an advert to drive people to buy war bonds. I have seen a few of these with Air Raid Warden, but I have not seen any other emblems. If you have more information about this particular badge, please drop me a message.

Craig Smith 9/7/25 Craig Smith 9/7/25

What To Do In An Air Raid - Official OCD Advice

The official guide from the Office of Civilian Defense for “What To Do In An Air Raid”.

Keep Cool;
Stay Home;
Put Out Lights;
Lie Down;
Stay Away From Windows;
You Can Help

“What To Do In An Air Raid” poster from the Office of Civilian Defense in WWII

Craig Smith 9/4/25 Craig Smith 9/4/25

Air Raid Warden Whistle

This image is taken from the Library of Congress and shows a close-up photo of the air raid warden whistle. There are several similar-looking black whistles, with the “CONQUERER” (shown below) and “FIELD CHAMPION” being of a similar shape.

Original wartime photo of an air raid warden’s whistle

Craig Smith 9/3/25 Craig Smith 9/3/25

WWII Civilian Defense Auxiliary Police Shield

Volunteers who joined the Auxiliary Police were often issued with a police-style shield, armband and helmet (they often carried a sidearm as well). Below is a shield for Redwood City.

Silver colored six-point metal star with Civilian Defense and Auxiliary Police written on it. — WWII Civilian Defense Auxiliary Police shield issued by Redwood City.

Craig Smith 9/2/25 Craig Smith 9/2/25

Bound Hardback Containing 10 WWII Civilian Defense Handbooks

A hardback book containing the first 10 civilian defense handbooks issued by the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD). The cover states that the Training Section of the OCD prepared this tome. A rare item of World War II civil defense.

Hardback book with blue covers. The title ‘HANDBOOK’ is written and ‘Prepared by the Training Section of the US Office of Civilian Defense’ during WWII.

Craig Smith 8/29/25 Craig Smith 8/29/25

US Civilian Defense Drinks Coaster

I assume this is a rare survivor from World War II; a drinks coaster featuring the CD insignie and a helmeted member of a Civilian Defense unit.

A circular drinks coaster in red, white and blue with CD insignia and a depiction of a helmeted civil defense worker. The words "U.S. Civilian Defense" are written. — US Civilian Defense drinks coaster from WWII

Craig Smith 8/26/25 Craig Smith 8/26/25

Air Raid Warden Post Enamel Sign

I’m currently uncertain of the date of issue for these Air Raid Warden Post enamelled signs. If you know if they are wartime or Cold War, drop me a message.

Craig Smith 8/25/25 Craig Smith 8/25/25

ALERT Whistles

I am looking for information about the types of whistles issued to Air Raid Wardens during WWII. I assume most were issued with commercial whistles, but there are a large number of these ‘ALERT’ whistles on the market. They feature the word ‘ALERT’ and ‘Made in USA’ and have the victory V emblem and Morse code for the letter ‘V’ on the other side. Often found in two-tone marbled plastic.

If you know more about these whistles, drop me a message.

Craig Smith 8/24/25 Craig Smith 8/24/25

Target No. 1 - New York City Recruitment Poster

A recruitment poster to drive enrollment in the civilian defense corps. The East Coast of the US, and the major cities there, were thought to be a primary target for German aircraft. C.D.V.O. relates to Civilian Defence Volunteer Offices.

WWII Civilian Defense recruitment poster featuring a swastika aiming for New York City as Target No. 1.

Craig Smith 8/23/25 Craig Smith 8/23/25

“Uncle Sam’s Home Defense”, 1941 GUM, INC Card

Card #97 from GUM, INC printed in 1941. The card shows New York Mayor La Guardia at his desk talking to two gentlemen. The man on the right bears a close resemblance to James Landis, La Guardia’s successor as Director of the Office of Civilian Defense.

GUM, INC. card #97 from 1941 entitled “***Uncle Sam’s Home Defense***”

Craig Smith 8/22/25 Craig Smith 8/22/25

Introducing WW2 Civil Defense

Hello and welcome.

I created this site to collate information, photos, uniforms, insignia, helmets and documentation about the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) during WWII.

Please note: I have used WW2 in the site name (ww2civildefense) as it is easier to read and remember than Roman numerals. On the main site, I will (usually) use WWII and World War II.

I often do research into the OCD during the years 1941 to 1945, but I will hold my hands up and say I will occasionally make mistakes. I will rely on visitors to the site to make corrections and amendments.

I am especially keen to hear from collectors and historians of the period. I am more than happy to add items from your collection to the site and to add interesting information as blog posts.

Craig Smith - August 2025