Rare Photo of Galicia

[Rene Chavez]

Great photos Nick! In the last photo we can actually see one of the division's chaplains. Galicia, Waloonien and Handschar were the only three SS divisions as far as I know to have field chaplains.

It turn out to be a great thread after all keep those wonderful historical pictures coming! It should be noted that the French and the Spanish Blue Division also had field chaplains.

Rene Chavez
http://axis101.bizland.com

[DKNYC71]

Rare Photo of Galicia

Fellow Collectors,

Does anyone know what happened to most of these brave Galician volunteers at the end of the war and after?

Thanks,
Dave.

[besslein]

Hi,
very nice photos!! Beautiful thread!
Here my humble (and only) contribution.
Find in Italy with documents of an italian officer....3 friends!
Best,

Stefano

very nice Stefano

[dblmed]

A Great Thread

Honestly, a Really Great Thread!

We just don't get to see Photos of this SS Unit often - and the thread contributors have really given us a treat! MORE! ... Txs, Dave/dblmed

[Askold]

Fellow Collectors,

Does anyone know what happened to most of these brave Galician volunteers at the end of the war and after?

Thanks,
Dave.

Hi Dave,

Majority actually survived the war. The Pope interviened and managed to save them from re-patriation to the Soviet Union. Another argument was that they were never Soviet citizens to begin with. After Italy, majority ended up in Britain - where they were forced to serve another two years in labor camps and after then they were set free. Many remained in Britan and large numbers settled in US, Canada, Germany and Australia. Very few in Spain and Ireland. Some ended up in Brasil and Argentina. Many former NCO's were university students - some contined with their study and later became prominant businessman or univesity professors.

[DKNYC71]

Hi Dave,

Majority actually survived the war. The Pope interviened and managed to save them from re-patriation to the Soviet Union. Another argument was that they were never Soviet citizens to begin with. After Italy, majority ended up in Britain - where they were forced to serve another two years in labor camps and after then they were set free. Many remained in Britan and large numbers settled in US, Canada, Germany and Australia. Very few in Spain and Ireland. Some ended up in Brasil and Argentina. Many former NCO's were university students - some contined with their study and later became prominant businessman or univesity professors.

Thank you very much Askold, very interesting, especialy about the intervention of the Pope on their behalf. Is there a good book out there about the Galician volunteers?

Thanks,
Dave.

[Ohlau]

intervention of the Pope

Not only - also Polish pre 1939 citizenship status........

[Peter J.]

Dave, if you're truly interested in the history of the this division, I suggest you read "Galicia Division, the Waffen-SS 14th Grenadier Division 1943-1945" by Michael O. Logusz, ISBN: 0-7643-0081-4. It's 411 pages of history and 142 pages of notes!!! The research behind this book is impressing, down to the daily schedule in their training camp at Heinelager. Their activities in Ukraine after 1945 is worth mentioning, especially in regards of the simularity to the FNL and how they conducted their warfare.

cheers
Peter

[Askold]

I think it would be interesting to add some post-war photos:

Grave of divisional kommander Fritz Freitag:



Ukrainische Gedenkstätte in St. Stefan, Steiermark - cared for by the local community in recognition of Galcian service in defence of the area



Ukrainische Gedenkstätte in Gnas, Steiermark



Ukrainische Gedenkstätte in Bad Gleichenberg, Steiermark



Ukrainische Gedenkstätte, Kriegsgräberstätte Feldbach, Steiermark

[Askold]

There is also a fair ammount of Galicia division veterans in Ukraine. Most were captured as prisoners during the Brody pocket. While officers were executed, enlisted men were sent to Siberia. Survivors of Uranium mines, some of those guys are still pretty tough:





Mykhailo Bendyna, machine gunner, uranium mine survivor. Still over 6 feet tall.


Early 90's photo. Note the flag:

[DKNYC71]

Askold,

Absolutely stunning and impressive, thanks for sharing!

Peter J,

Thanks for the heads-up on the book!

Regards,
Dave.

[stefanob]

thanks

very nice Stefano

Thanks Besslein,
I like it too (one of my prefer).
Best

Stefano

[D Davies]

I know many have seen this before,i thought i would post it for those who have not seen it I know it is not a photo but it is in keeping with the subject
Cheers
Dave.

[Askold]

Thought I would share few Galicia photos I managed picked up some time ago:

Training at WH artillery school (most likely in Porshetz, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia)

[Askold]

I think this would be an interesting photo to share. Galicia div. in POW camp in Rimini Itlay. Note the uniforms: