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 1936 and 1940 patterns collar tabs are rectangular. The Reichsführer of the TN and the Stellvertretender (deputy) Reichsführer der TN were supposed to wear a black patch with gold-coloured/black wire cord piping, with a gold-coloured metal cogwheel and a laurel sprig made up of twelve leaves. This patch was supposed to be worn on the left and the right side. However, the leaders of the TN were SS generals who never appeared to have worn TN uniforms.

These ranks were renamed on December 15, 1937 to Chef der TN and Stellvertretender Chef der TN. Beginning in 1940, the rank of Landesführer was given the same collar tabs.