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.

Special OT armbands were worn mostly by non-uniformed members on the upper left sleeve.
There are three main versions. One shows the words “Arbeitet für O.T.” (works for OT) in black, with a number stamped below them. The purpose of the number is unknown. Another version simply has the black letters “O.T.” with a number below. A third version shows a black national eagle on yellow, with a stamp of the issuing unit somewhere on the armband.