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.

An ambiguous relationship existed between the OT and the DAF (German Labour Front). After the outbreak of the war, an OT Security Command for the front line was established, made up of DAF members in the service of OT. They wore a sleeveband on the lower left sleeve. It is blue with silver-grey, depicting an “O”, a DAF cogwheel, and a “T”. The leader version has a top and bottom stripe, while the non-leader version doesn’t.