History

The SS divided Germany and the occupied territories into Oberabschnitte (districts) that roughly corresponded to the Germany Army's Wehrkreise (army districts). These districts were further divided into three or four SS-Abschnitte (sub-districts), which could be identified by roman numerals. By the end of the war, there were 45 sub-districts.

One SS-Pionier-Sturmbann (engineer battalion) was assigned to each SS district.

Members of SS engineer units wore a unit collar tab with a crossed pick and shovel, and their unit number. Members serving on the staff of an SS district or with an unnumbered engineer unit wore a collar tab that only featured a crossed pick and shovel.

Officer rank collar tabs were embroidered with silver-coloured aluminium wire, while Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Enlisted Men (EM) collar tabs were embroidered with silver or grey-coloured thread.

Officer tabs were piped with aluminum twist cord, while those of NCO/EMs was piped with alternating black and aluminum twist cord. NCO/EM piping was eventually discontinued.