Handschar soldier at Juno beach??

[Jean-Loup]

The other day, I was in a library looking at the book, "Canadas D-day victory: june 6 1944"; by Mark Zuehlke, and I saw in one of the photos, there is a soldier wearing what appears to be a Handschar collar tab, being held prisonner on the beach.
Does anyone have that book, if so he could post this picture. I unfortunatly only looked at the book, and didnt buy it.
what would a Handschar soldier have been doing in Normandy???

JL

[Bobwirtz]

According to Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS, Volume 3, pages 142-146, by Roger Bender, states that the division (not yet formed but with enough soldiers to begin training) were sent to Southern France. During their time in central France, a mutiny broke out and was put down. In September-October 1943, the division was transferred to Austria and eventually back down to Yugoslavia. I don't know why this soldier was captured by the Canadians in the Normandy area some 8 months later in June 1944.

Bob

[Bob Hritz]

Perhaps just a case of bad timing; vacationing on the beach of southwest France on D-Day!

Bob Hritz

[Fred S]

It would be interesting to see the pic but as Bob Hritz mentionned none Handschar troops were supposed and are known as being in Normandy. If he was really wearing an handschar collar tab, maybe it could be a SS-PK ? As three or four french SS-PK were in Normandy (One with the HJ: Gerald de Baecker), maybe other nationalities were there?

[Jean-Loup]

So I take it that nobody has this book? I am pretty sure the guy was wearing a collar tab on the right side that had a sword and swastica. Maybe the guy was doing some kind of class, or something.
If someone sees the book, please take a look, and if possible post the picture.

JL

[DaveM]

I have the book

I dont think this guy is "Handschar"

[Al P]

That is a zollgrenzschutz (customs) uniform.


Al

[billbert]

Yep definitely Land Zoll with customs green eagle ciffband..Billbert

[Bobwirtz]

He was there to ask the landing Allies if they had anything to declare!

Bob

[Jean-Loup]

Sorry for the mistake guys
I will go and hide under the table now. That was the very picture I had seen.
The tab isnt even on the proper side of the colar! Shame on me!

JL

[Bobwirtz]

Back to SS Foreign Legions 101 for you, young man!

Bob