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 TeNo was able to shift its focus to disaster relief, roadside assistance, and general civil defence, including civil air protection. In 1936, the organisation came under the control of the German police as an auxiliary force of the Ordnungspolizei (Order Police). During the war, TeNo units were deployed to virtually all occupied countries and front lines for technical support.

The 1943 collar tabs pattern was introduced on 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 were now in the shape of parallelograms. Mirrored versions of the same design were worn on both sides of the collar.

The tabs worn by Meister der TN are black with two pips and two aluminum bars with black stripes, with aluminum twist cord piping. They are identical to the ones worn by Bereitschaftshauptwachtmeister der TN (over 12 years of service), and the rank insignia only differ in the shoulder boards.