Askold's WH foreign volunteer collection.

[dblmed]

Luftschutspolizei?

Werner ... A very nice and detailed book! I use it often for reference of these rare and 'forgotten' nationalities in service of the Wehrmacht & SS. Congratulations on your book!

Nick - Yes, Luftschutz. The 2 Schuma men would be assigned to, and acting in a Luftschutspolizei role would make sense to me. This is especially a consideration when reviewing the 'sewn on' Im Dienst Der Deutschen Polizei band. It was put on the unifrom - and it was meant to stay there! .........Txs, Dave/dblmed

[Askold]

Two latest additions:

B.B.H. badge - awarded to members of Legion Ukraine (code name Berg Buerische Hilfe, hence BBH abbreviation). The legion was one of the first European volunteers and took part in 1939 invasion of Poland. The badge was issued after the unit was disbanned, so on the photo, we see one worn by someone who was in the legion and now serving in General Gouvernment police.



D.U.N. badge (second edition) - awarded to members of "Roland" and "Nahtigall", two Ukrainian volunteer formations that took part in the invasion of Soviet Union, 1941. Similarly to BBH, the badge was awarded when both formations were formed into 202 Schuma battalion. The badge was continued to be awarded to the former membes even after the war. On the photo we see an officer from Ukrainian Insurgence Army (fought both Germans and Soviets), around 1948, wearing such badge. When UPA was forming, they needed professional officers, so many former DUN and Schuma members joined. Of interesting note, the fellow is also wearing metal Edelweiss worn by gebirsjagers.




Nahtigall Legion


Early morning June 22, 1941 - Soviet Union is about to be invaded, members receive their last minute instructions.


First moments in liberated Ukraine


Troops at the barracks - note the unit emblem

[galizien41]

Great medals and information as always!

[dblmed]

Super!

Super!

More fantastic & RARE Items - which most of us have NEVER Seen before,
Plus your Photo Documentation of them! Great Educational Information
which is found no where else! CONGRATS! Txs,... Dave/dblmed

[Rene Chavez]

Great items Askold if possible can you post the reverse?

Rene Chavez
Http://axis101.bizland.com

[Askold]

Thanks for the warm comments guys! When I get some free time, I'll make the back photos too.

[Bill Hughes]

cockades

Great collection Askold!

Foreign volunteer material has always held an interest with me,thanks for sharing!

I have a small collection myself.

On the subject of cockades. I have pictured two that I picked up years ago at the same time,one is for the Armenian Legion,the other which you have as well, I have always wondered about. The only reference that I can find is Littlejohns Vol 4 pg 263, but the colours are reversed,green outer,blue inner Volgar Tartars.

Any chane that you could enlighten me on this cockade?

Cheers
Bill

[Bill Hughes]

cockades

reverse

[Askold]

Hi Bill,

Very nice cockades. You guessed them right - Armenian and Volga-Tatar. I woul'dnt worry too much about the order of colors - Germans tend to mix them up.

[Bill Hughes]

cockades

Thanks Askold!

Will post some other goodies when I find time.

Cheers
Bill

[Gaspare]

Askold,, I congratulate you old friend on acquiring that B.B.H. badge! That is a super hard piece to find,, a real star in your collection,,nice work!

[Askold]

Thanks Gaspare! I managed to scoop up both items from a collection sale. The same person had BBH miniature but I was out of cash to grab it. Also managed to get a rare UPA cockade too. Although not really a volunteer subject, but many former Police and Galicia men went to serve in UPA ranks:

[Askold]

This has been a really good month for me. I finally managed to pay up and get something that I always wanted to own. I've been eyeing this item for about 5 years and could never afford it, but took up an extra job and three months later got the parcel. This is an enlisted version of "General Gouvernment" cufftitle worn by Ukrainian police in GG from a collection of a former British officer. IMHO a trully unique volunteer item.

On the photo we can see the men on the left wearing such cufftitle. The men on the right is wearing an extremely rare belt buckle "Heil Ukraine" issued to Ukrainian police.

[dblmed]

Amazing "GG" Ukrainian Cuff Title

Askold - CONGRATS!
Your understanding of Volunteer Items is Amazing!! We learn a bit more - each time you post another superb Item!!!

1) Enlisted version of "General Gouvernment" Cuff Title worn by Ukrainian police in GG - I doubt if many of us were even AWARE of this Cuff Title???? It is certainly great to see!!!
a) How did the 'Officer Model' differ from this one?

2) Regarding the "extremely rare belt buckle w 'Heil Ukraine' issued to Ukrainian police."
a) Have you seen such a Ukrainian Polizei Buckle in a collection?
b) Where would these buckles have been made / manufactured?

3) PLUS - to have a Photo - confirming these items..... is like a Dream come true!!!
Good Going!! Keep the education & rare items coming!!! ... Dave/dblmed

[Askold]

Hi Dave, thank you for the comments, I always appreciate them! I knew you'd like the police cuff

1. The enlisted version has green border stripes, while the officer version has such border lines in silver bullion. The cufftitle is mentioned in Littlejohn's book but he does not have a photo of it. The photos of such cuff in wear do come up once in a while.

2. Yes, I have seen such belt buckle in a dug up condition in a private collection. I would think that the buckles were locally made. A lot of Ukrainian war time medals and badges were produced in Cracow, so my guess would be that the buckle was also minted there.