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.

Black civil pattern helmets were used by TeNo members before the war. Initially they had a silver-coloured four-pointed star with a black swastika and superimposed TN emblem on the front. Later the helmets were field-grey and had a TN eagle emblem decal on the right side and a national tricolour shield decal on the left side.