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.

Although there were unregulated, TeNo box buckle versions were worn before the NSDAP came to power.

One version is a plain brass buckle with a silvered face plate. It features a hammer, serving as a “T”, and an “N” superimposed on a gear with eight spokes.

Another version is of the army style with the same TN emblem inside a circle that has a semi-circle of oak leaves on the bottom and the words “Gott mit uns” (God with us) on the top.

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