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.

Two collar patches were worn by every rank, one on each side of the collar. They are identical but mirrored.

Similar to the shoulder straps, the collar patches of OT Stabsführer ranks were piped in different colours, depending on the wearer’s branch. The colours are green for administration (Verwaltung); yellow for signals (Nachrichtenwesen); brown for propaganda; blue for medical (Sanitätswesen). For black, red, and white piping there exists conflicting information. More research is needed.

The collar patch for ranks between OT Obermeister (Technical/Administrative) and OT Vorarbeiter, and for OT Hauptsanitäter (Medical) to OT Stammsanitäter (Medical) is a brown diamond with a red superimposed “OT”, identical to the one for OT Enlisted Men. This includes the ranks of OT Meister (Technical/Administrative)/OT Obersanitäter (Medical).