Technische Nothilfe '“TeNO”:
“New” TeNo Worker, White work shirt:
TeNo Work uniform:
TeNO provided the initial organization to form the Luftschutzdienst, the Freiwilligen Arbeitsdienst, or Volunteer Labor Service supervising training at over 12,000 locations. The FAD later became the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD).
Throughout the Third Reich, the TeNO focused on civil defense actions such as air raid rescue, general disaster response, and relief work. From 1936 the TeNO was gradually absorbed into Ordnungspolizei as an auxiliary police organization and it came under the ultimate control of Heinrich Himmler, as the head of the police, and ultimately the SS.
From September 1939 TeNO followed the advancing Wehrmacht restoring vital services and functions in Poland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Norway. Local TeNO branch organizations were formed in some occupied countries, notably the Technische Noodhulp in the Netherlands and the Teknisk Nødhjelp in Norway.
Known as TeNO Einsatzgruppen they were utilized to secure vital industries, prevent or re-pair sabotage, rebuild infrastructure such as bridges, power plants, drinking water facilities, wastewater facilities. TeNO Einsatzgruppen were taken into Luftwaffe, Heer u. Kriegsmarine service in mid 1941 and renamed Technische Truppen. Additionally, TeNO units served under the control of the Reichsamt Technische Nothilfe or TeNO Headquarters until the end of the war.
Note: bottom 2 photos, are of the early dark blue uniform associated with the TeNO, and often seen leading the men in white-work jackets.
TENO Tropical Uniform:
This uniform, not really military or Polizei, belongs to a Technische Nothilfe Mann, from TeNo Luftwaffe Einsatzgruppen Afrika. It came from one small picture, a drawing actually and we discussed with each other- about how these guys really are still around and the oddities of the uniform....and research began.
The Technische Nothilfe or "TeNo" was established by members of the Technische Abteilung (Technical Unit) of the Paramilitary Organization, The Freikorps Garde-Kavallerie- schutzen- Division. Teno Einsatzgruppen participated in the occupation of the Saar, Austria, Sudetenland, Poland, and then in the Western Campaigns of 1940.
Note: the tabs and boards are similar in style to those of the Waffen-SS but not affiliated.
Their purpose was to secure vital industries, prevent their loss, act against sabotage, repair what needs if possible, machinery and whatnot, and rebuild the infrastructure i/e bridges, power plants, drinking water as well as wastewater, sewage, etc.
TeNo Units were taken into the Luftwaffe's Service in the middle of 1941. Those in the Army were named Technische Truppen, which was commanded by Eric Hampe, the long-term Chef der Teno. Some TeNo had served in the Kriegsmarine, and under the control of the TeNo Headquarters (Reichsamt Technische Nothilfe) remained there till the end of the war.
With the rapid advance of the Axis Forces under Erwin Rommel eastward across North Afrika the Luftwaffe needed rapid infrastructure repair for Airfields and for Resupply points. The TeNo Forman had a Gear insignia on the left collar tab, in silver, and (I think) 2 white or silver lines across the bottom end of the shoulder board.
This TeNo Mann is under Luftwaffe Command, and as such wears, their Tropical Uniform, with the TeNo Insignia applied to it, much the same way it would be added to other field uniforms. (This is the Eagle for the TeNo).
The last bit of his insignia would be the cuff title, this one cut a bit short, perhaps taken off of another uniform- or because these are hard to come by these things happen sometimes. The Sleeve title itself in prints shows it on the right cuff, while a couple of photos show it on the left.
He does carry a merit ribbon through the buttonhole, so he must know the right stuff. Though not military, often they carried a sidearm on a belt, and I think the brown or black leather and web-belt we mixed up sometimes for belt and holster.
He wears the SA Sports Badge in Silver, but not combat awards per se as he really was in no position to be considered for them either. He may be considered something along the lines of the US Sea-Bee or government-controlled emergency-relief people.
This uniform has had a suspender/belt hook added to it, who knows what all he may have carried on the belt, anything from hammers and screwdrivers to machetes and lugers. The inside of the jacket flap reveals the maker's tailor stamp numbers. he wore black leather-short lace-up boots on his feet.
This cap, for this TeNo Mann, is a pretty standard Topical issue too, made in fine quality, it nearly matches the rest of the uniform, obviously a different maker though. Again, it has had the TeNo Tri-Angular Eagle Applied, though, this was not always the case, Campaign Caps (Side Capes) were issued too, and sometimes with Heer insignia, etc. Note the red interior specifically uses only the Tropical caps. We can see the vent holes used in these tropical caps. I am not sure but seems they would have used heavy equipment to do some of their work too.
TN.-Oberscharführer, Anwärter der TeNO Technische Nothilfe:
The Technische Nothilfe or TeNO was founded in 1919 to protect and maintain vital & strategic facilities such as gas works, waterworks, power stations, railways, post offices, agriculture concerns, and food production activities from sabotage and communist-led strikes.
TeNO was composed of 1914-18 army engineering/technical veterans and transitioned into a volunteer civilian organization. The change was required by the demilitarization requirements of the Treaty of Versailles. TeNO intervened as a volunteer aid organization, when strikes could not be avoided, and when the public welfare was endangered as in strikes of electricity, food service, and railroad workers. After 1925 TeNO began to shift its activities into public welfare areas such as Katastrophendienst or disaster relief concerning floods, fires, industrial accidents, bridge, and railway collapses as well as responding to motor vehicle accidents in the countryside. The Bereitschaftdienst or BD began to motorize the organization so they respond rapidly to emergencies.
Ther uniform depicts the use of a military jacket and overseas cap, with TeNo insignia applied to it, he was working alongside pioneers, and construction groups so it was available and practical, his decorations include the Bulgarian Medal of Valor and the (1941 Russian Winter Medal) aka the Order of the Frozen Meat, as well as the Merit Cross 2nd class (Non-Militant), as well as the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
TeNOPolizei:
From Juni 1943, the TeNO members, serving outside of the Reich, wore the green uniform of the Police and were referred to as the TeNOPolizei.
Dissolved in 1945 TeNO returned to duty in 1950 in West Germany as the Technisches Hilfswerk or Technical Relief which exists to the present day with civil defense responsibilities and also participates in worldwide disaster relief responses.
The Anwärter der TeNO joined the organization in Gau Westmark, basically the parts of Bavaria west of the Rhine, Pfalz u. Saar region. This uniform represents the use of the Heer Model 43, like the white fatigue uniform corresponding to serving under Heer command. He wears examples of the early period Dunkelblau u. Feldgrau Feldmütz.
Note: While the uniforms depicted here, are our recreations to the best of our ability, it’s a complicated task, and working these uniforms over, I came across a great and interesting site, I urge you to look at it, there is a wealth of information on the group there. (TeNo TN Technische Nothilfe Uniforms, Insignia & Other TeNo TN Technische Nothilfe Uniforms, Insignia & Other - Page 16 - Germany: Third Reich: Uniforms, Headwear, Insignia & Equipment - Gentleman's Military Interest Club (gmic.co.uk)
