Technische Nothilfe (TeNo) in KZ Ebensee!

[Bill B.]

Since there is discussion regarding KZ Wehrpaesse here, I thought I would share what I consider to be one of the rarest KZ Soldbuecher I have ever seen. It is not an SS Soldbuch, but a special Soldbuch variation issued to members of the Technische Nothilfe, or TeNo. This particular example was issued to Austrian Augustin Hubmayer in 1942. It records his assignment to "Einsatzkommando Zement" on January 30th, 1944. A clothing issue entry in the Soldbuch further reveals that he was still there as of August, 1944. "Zement" was the code name for the notorious KZ Ebensee, a sub-camp of Mathausen, which provided slave labor for the construction of underground tunnel complexes to be used as production facilities. Ebensee was one of the last camps to remain in Nazi hands and was liberated by American forces. Here are a couple of links, including one to the excellent "Third Reich in Ruins" then and now photo comparison:

www.thirdreichruins.com/ebensee.htm

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebensee

The Ebensee project and camp were begun in late 1943, and Hubmayer's Soldbuch establishes TeNo presence there in some capacity. I've provided the relevant scans below, as this piece resides in my personal collection. I invite comments and discussion on this very rare and unusual Soldbuch!!!! Thanks!

Bill B.

[Bill B.]

2nd pic.

[Bill B.]

3rd pic.

[Bill B.]

4th pic.

[Bill B.]

5th pic.

[peter u]

Hello Bill,

Thanks for posting this nice sb.
It is perhaps not a member of the totenkopf wach batallions but that doesn't matter at all.
Like I said in previous postings KL/Holocaust history is not a simple subject-matter to explain in short text messages.
The German KL and forced labor system existed of a lot of such small not well known to the general public camps; but nevertheless camps with a gruesom regime.
Since many years I'am looking for such a sb/wp from a member of the Reimagh facilities in Khala, this was a forced labor camp for the construction of an underground airplane factory for the Me262 jetfighter my greatgrandfather was a prisoner their from August 1944 untill April 1945. According to my reference book the camps around Khala had about 15.000 inmates and 6.000 of them died because of the terrible circumstances in the camps and factory. Khala was also not under control of the ss but from the luftwaffe and the guard duty was done by foreign volunteers. It was not only the ss that was involved in crimes against humanity.

Cheers,
Peter

[Bill B.]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for the comments. Well said. For those of us who study the history as well as collect, there are many areas that are not yet well-known or researched . . . It is only when one carefully studies the entries in some of these documents or pays attention to family history as you have that some of these areas come to light! When I acquired the TeNo Soldbuch some years ago, I'm sure the source had no idea that Hubmayer spent time at KZ Ebensee, a small but no less brutal camp!!!!!

All the best and good luck with your continuing search,
Bill

[dblmed]

TN Wehrpass, Soldbuch & ID's

TN Wehrpass, Soldbuch & ID's

Bill, ............ I collect TENO articles of ALL types & I am very excited to see your fantastic TN Paper Items. This is quite a 'treasure trove.'

As the members of the Technische Nothilfe were 'Technical Officers / Men' - it is not completely surprising that they were found at this 'Construction Facility.' (I am very sorry to see that the TN was involved with the KZ System, but we are still learning the extent of all of those involved.)

The TN Photo is intersting, as it shows a basic 'Pre-War' Type of TN Collar Tabs to be present. The TN Tabs changed to an "almost" SS Type in May of 1943. There is a good Photo Montage of these types on Ernst-H's www.germanpolice.org.

There also is a 14 page thread on the TN on GDC, under the Police Uniform Forum.... which has LOADS of interesting TeNo Photos & Information.
Txs, Dave / dblmed