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 Open-Claw Buckle was first worn with the 1932 uniform. It is a silver-coloured smooth buckle on a black belt, worn with a shoulder strap. Enlisted Ranks, up to and including Gefolgschaftsführer, wore a 45mm wide buckle, ranks of Bereitschaftsführer and above wore a 60mm wide version.
Landesführer wore a gold-coloured buckle.

With the new regulations from April 1, 1940 the ranks from Chef der TN to Landesführer were the ones wearing the 60mm gold-coloured double open-claw buckle, Bezirksführer to Kameradschaftsführer wore a 60mm nickel-plated double open-claw buckle, and Stabsscharführer to TN-Anwärter wore a 45mm nickel-plated open-claw buckle, all on a black leather belt.