Ukrainian Liberation Army

Ukrainian Liberation Army
Ukrainian: Українське Визвольне Військо
German: Ukrainische Befreiungsarmee


Insignia of the Ukrainian Liberation Army

Ukrainian Liberation Army oath to Adolf Hitler
Active 1943 – 15 April 1945
Country  Nazi Germany
Branch Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Engagements World War II

The Ukrainian Liberation Army (Ukrainian: Українське Визвольне Військо, УВВ; Ukrainske Vyzvolne Viysko, UVV) was an umbrella organization created in 1943,[1] providing collective name for all Ukrainian units serving with the Wehrmacht Heer during World War II.[2] A single formation by that name did not exist.[2] A designation was used by Ukrainian nationalists in reference to a number of companies and local Ostbataillonen of Hiwi volunteers (Hilfswilliger) desiring to free their own territories from the Soviet rule. They included enlisted Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) captured from the Red Army.[2] The core of the Liberation Army wearing the УВВ sleeve badge (right, since 1945) originated from the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Ukrainian) reorganized in April 1945 into the Ukrainian National Army (UNA) active until the German surrender in May 1945.[3]

Command

Pavlo Shandruk

The Ukrainian collaborationist forces were composed of an estimated number of 180,000 volunteers serving with units scattered all over Europe.[4]

In April 1945, numerous remnants of the UVV were incorporated into the short-lived Ukrainian National Army commanded by general Pavlo Shandruk, disbanded in May 1945.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Peter Abbott, Eugene Pinak (2012). Ukrainian Armies 1914–55. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 47. ISBN 178096403X.
  2. 1 2 3 Michael A. Dorosh (1999). "Ostruppen (Eastern Troops)". types of German formations during the Second World War. CanadianSoldiers.com. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Marcus Wendel (29 Apr 2009). "14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (ukrainische Nr. 1). Lineage". Waffen-SS Units. Axis History Factbook. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Carlos Caballero Jurado (1983). Foreign Volunteers of the Wehrmacht 1941-45. Translated by Alfredo Campello, David List. Osprey. p. 29. ISBN 0850455243.

Further reading

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