Paul R Posted April 3, 2007 Posted April 3, 2007 This thread will be dedicated to the study of the Luftwaffe TSD (Truppensonderdienst = Special Troop Service). On 25Apr1944, the Luftwaffe Special Troop Services was formed due to manpower shortages in the Luftwaffe. This branch was to be a compilation of Luftwaffe Officials with certain specialities who were brought into the Regular Luftwaffe and were give the status of regular Luftwaffe Officers. This was strictly a voluntary lateral move from the status of an Official to that of Regular Luftwaffe Officer. There were stipulations based upon speciality, age, and physical standards. Officials who did not choose to be a Regular Luftwaffe Officer or were not qualified for other reasons kept their status as Officials. By 01Oct1944, the transition was to be complete.The TSD was open only to officer rankings.There were two Branches of the TSD. These branches were Administration and Judicial.Insignia:The Officials traded in their administrative collar tabs and boards for the standard Luftwaffe types. Rank was reflected on the collar tabs by the use of the wreath and gulls. The double layered shoulder boards were removed and replaced by the boards with the single underlay. Waffenfarbe:TSD Judicial- Wine RedTSD Administration- Light Blue
Paul R Posted April 4, 2007 Author Posted April 4, 2007 Administration branch: This branch consisted of Officials who volunteered from the paymaster and personnel sections of the Administration Service. Here is an example of some collar tabs, to illustrate the waffenfarbe.The shoulder boards had the single light blue waffenfarbe. The boards had a gilt Mercurian Staff cypher.
Paul R Posted April 4, 2007 Author Posted April 4, 2007 Judicial Branch:Consisted of Officials who volunteered from the Courts Martial and Luftwaffe Legal branches.
Paul R Posted April 4, 2007 Author Posted April 4, 2007 The shoulder boards had the single layer of wine red waffenfarbe and utilized the Roman short sword cypher.
leigh kitchen Posted April 4, 2007 Posted April 4, 2007 I have a number of officers shoulder boards with lightish blue waffenfarbe & bearing the mercurial rod - is it really possible to distinguish between LW TSD Admin & Heer transport?
Paul R Posted April 4, 2007 Author Posted April 4, 2007 I have a number of officers shoulder boards with lightish blue waffenfarbe & bearing the mercurial rod - is it really possible to distinguish between LW TSD Admin & Heer transport?Yep... For clarification, all branches of the military went to the TSD. The Heer TSD boards look identical to the LW version except for the LW used their typical shiney braid versus the Heer's subdued/matte Russian braid. The waffenfarbe for the Heer TSD is lightblue as well. The KM simply applied the staff to regular KM officer's boards(no light blue waffenfarbe).The Heer transport waffenfarbe was more of a grayish color and did not utilize the mercurian cypher.Here are some examples from my collection:Heer TSD and tabs on the left and Heer transport board on the right.Notice the matte finish on all three boards. It contrasts to the type used on the LW judicial board above.
Paul R Posted April 8, 2007 Author Posted April 8, 2007 Now this conversation pertains to the LW TSD. Anything pertinent is very welcome!!This includes:1. Conversation on the topic of the TSD2. Period photos of these men3. Images of TSD related militaria4. Any period documents5. ANYTHING that pertains to the subject of this tread!!!Lets see whats out there!!Kind regardsPaul
Paul R Posted April 24, 2007 Author Posted April 24, 2007 Thanks for posting your tabs!! This is the most complete collection of TSD Administrative tabs I have seen. Thank you for sharing them with us!Lets keep this thread alive!! Please post your TSD related items. Anything pertinent is welcome! Uniforms, inisignia, photos, documents, and ect!Paul
leigh kitchen Posted October 4, 2007 Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) Arrived yesterday, a soldbuch to Georg Wunsche, d.o.b. 31/8/97, in Thorn.Administration Berlin / Dresen. Edited October 4, 2007 by leigh kitchen
leigh kitchen Posted October 4, 2007 Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) Stabsintendant in TSD, Commissary Captain.A nice enough uniform photo pre-dating Wunsche's transfer to TSD, by the collar tabs Edited October 4, 2007 by leigh kitchen
leigh kitchen Posted October 4, 2007 Posted October 4, 2007 Soldbuch issued 1939, the last entry is dated 3/5/45
leigh kitchen Posted October 4, 2007 Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) Awarded KVK wII with Swords on 20/4/44 - Hitlers birthday - birthday honours award?The TSD was formed 25/4/44, so could the award be for volunteering to transfer to regular LW officer service in the new branch? Edited October 4, 2007 by leigh kitchen
leigh kitchen Posted October 4, 2007 Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) Not many entries, only one award, no injuries or wounds etc, but I thought I'd get this one as it's a bit different & I had'nt got a LW TSD soldbuch or wehrpas amongst my magpie collection of SB & WP. Edited October 4, 2007 by leigh kitchen
Paul R Posted October 5, 2007 Author Posted October 5, 2007 Leigh,Thank you for sharing this treasure with us. This is the first piece of TSD related paper I have seen! This is a very significant WP!
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