History

Organisation Todt, abbreviated OT, was a paramilitary construction organisation named after its founder, Fritz Todt. It was founded in 1938 and became well-known for its construction projects in Germany and German-occupied areas during the war, including the Siegfried Line (Westwall) and the Atlantic Wall. Only a comparatively small number of OT labourers were uniformed and salaried German nationals, while large numbers during the war years were made up of forced labourers, including Jews and other “undesirables”, as well as prisoners of war.

Members of OT were to wear uniforms distinct from other Third Reich paramilitary organisations. However, due to problems with availability, they de facto often wore a mixture of different uniform patterns, including uniform parts from other organisations.

The headgear worn by members of OT is identical to the M43 caps and field caps of the German Army, except in brown colour.

The M43 cap was also known as the Einheitsfeldmütze (standard field cap). The cut is the same as that of the “Bergmütze” (mountain cap), albeit with a longer visor, and it has the same design for flaps, which are affixed by two buttons at the front and could be lowered to cover the face in the form of a balaclava.

On occasion this cap will have ventilations holes, but most were produced without any due to easier fabrication.

Enlisted men and NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) wore no piping on their caps. Piping was silver-coloured for OT Führer and OT Stabsführer, and gold-coloured for Higher OT Leaders.