Luftwaffe TSD (Truppensonderdienst) Administration

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(Seen here: http://www.ww2f.com/uniforms-personal-gear-kit-accessories/40572-luftwaffe-administrative-corps.html ) 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 Red
TSD Administration- Light Blue

 

Paul these tabs are just little jewels. I can understand how you can get passionate about such spaecialized items they are a collection on their own. Once again thank you for sharing