History

The Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Help), often abbreviated to TN or TeNo, was founded on September 30, 1919. Its stated purpose was to maintain vital infrastructure and facilities and protect them during a time of economical and political turmoil. When the economy improved and political tensions became less pronounced during the mid to late 1920s, the TN was able to concentrate more on disaster relief, roadside assistance, and general civil defence, including civil air protection. In 1936 the TN came under the control of the German police as an auxiliary force of the Ordnungspolizei (Order Police). During the war units were deployed to virtually all occupied countries and front lines for technical support.

The 1943 pattern was effective June 1, 1943. The rank system and its insignia were completely reworked. They were closely modeled on the ones used by the Schutzpolizei (order police) in case of the shoulder straps, and on the SS in case of the collar tabs.

Collar tabs are now parallelograms. Mirrored versions of the same design were worn on both sides of the collar.

The tabs worn by Anwärter der TN are plain black, corresponding with the ones of the rank of SS-Mann.

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