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It functioned under the pre-Nazi Weimar Republic as a society of technical volunteers who were called to duty in the event of a public disaster. The Corps provided essential services during emergencies with its personnel being highly trained in fire fighting, decontamination, etc. TENO men were distributed throughout the cities, industrial centres, and major traffic hubs for the repair and maintenance of public utilities. The Nazis realised the potential value of the TENO and reorganised the Corps in 1939 as one of the main party formations under the auspices of the German Police. The commander of the TENO prior to World War II was SS Gruppenfuehrer Schmelcher. Subsequently, he was placed in charge of technical affairs of the SS and was succeeded by SS Gruppenfuehrer Weinreich. The services of the Corps were required extensively after the outbreak of the war in army rear areas and occupied territories, thus freeing army engineers and personnel for other tasks. During the conduct of the war the TENO became an almost integral part of the Waffen SS. |
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Dagger Information – Teno EM Hewer This Hewer was designed by Paul Casberg and introduced in November 1938 for use by selected full time NCO’s. The hewer was 40 cm long and was similar in shape to the RAD Hewer, also designed by Paul Casberg and made exclusively by Carl Eickhorn. The blade was scimitar shaped and retained in a black stove enamelled scabbard with nickel fittings that used a black leather frog to secure onto the wearer’s belt. The hilt was made from oxidised steel and had the Teno cog wheel emblem on the pommel. The cross guard had the Teno eagle with spread wings holding the Teno cogwheel within a swastika. The two grip plates were made from white plastic A range of knots were available for the hewer depending upon the trade or duty of the wearer. Knot colours included: 1)… Reserve Member - silver acorn, purple top, orange stem 2)… Post Air Raid – silver acorn, red stem 3)… Technical Service – silver acorn, blue stem 4)… General Duties – silver acorn, green stem The above colours were based upon the uniform piping. The Teno hewer could not be purchased directly but were issued on a unit basis. The hewer was marked on the blade ricasso with the Carl Eickhorn logo, the Teno eagle and Ges.gesch (patent pending). The grip plates were also marked with the Carl Eickhorn squirrel logo on the insides, only visible when the hewer was disassembled. The blade and scabbard had matching accountability serial numbers. The hewer was discontinued in 1943. |
