Ukrainians in the Waffen-SS & Wehrmacht
Good Evening
top picture and middle picture:
parade in L'viv 18 July 1943. Gov WAECHTER and German / Ukr dignitaries.
Bottom Kdr W.Art Rgt 14 BEYERSDORF. He did everything by the book. His aide de camp told me that while they were deployed at Brody he had an argument with another German attached to the staff company of the artilery regiment which ended when Beyersdorf threatened the other officer with a gun. Good officer........
top picture and middle picture:
parade in L'viv 18 July 1943. Gov WAECHTER and German / Ukr dignitaries.
Bottom Kdr W.Art Rgt 14 BEYERSDORF. He did everything by the book. His aide de camp told me that while they were deployed at Brody he had an argument with another German attached to the staff company of the artilery regiment which ended when Beyersdorf threatened the other officer with a gun. Good officer........
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top 2 pictures: German parade unit at swearing in Ceremony Aug 1943 HEIDELAGER
Middle: Ukrs with civilian visitors at HEIDELAGER summer 1943
bottom; 3 Ukrs during officer training at artillery school at BENESCHAU. In centre is J. HAWRYCH. An erudite and very helpful man. He died a few years ago in London.
Just to tie up a few loose ends. I have had several messages from people asking me to put them in contact with former vets from this Division. I am very sorry but these requests are all too late. 5 years ago I could have helped quite easily, but those who would have helped others (as they helped me), have all passed away. Many of them became close personal friends and I have posted pictures of a few of them earlier. It is a pity that they were so old.
I have also said that I will stop posting now. However, if anyone sends request for certain types of pictures / documents or certain subjects pertaining directly to the Galician Div or its affiliated units, AND I HAVE THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY AT HAND, I will post some more as time permits. I believe firmly in sharing information and helping others as I will always be grateful to those who helped me.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and other information
best wishes
Mike Melnyk
Middle: Ukrs with civilian visitors at HEIDELAGER summer 1943
bottom; 3 Ukrs during officer training at artillery school at BENESCHAU. In centre is J. HAWRYCH. An erudite and very helpful man. He died a few years ago in London.
Just to tie up a few loose ends. I have had several messages from people asking me to put them in contact with former vets from this Division. I am very sorry but these requests are all too late. 5 years ago I could have helped quite easily, but those who would have helped others (as they helped me), have all passed away. Many of them became close personal friends and I have posted pictures of a few of them earlier. It is a pity that they were so old.
I have also said that I will stop posting now. However, if anyone sends request for certain types of pictures / documents or certain subjects pertaining directly to the Galician Div or its affiliated units, AND I HAVE THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY AT HAND, I will post some more as time permits. I believe firmly in sharing information and helping others as I will always be grateful to those who helped me.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and other information
best wishes
Mike Melnyk
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- Allen Milcic
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- Joined: 09 Sep 2003, 21:29
- Location: Canada
Hello
Top left: Mychalio KULYKOWSKYJ. He originated from my father’s village of KOROPEC in Ukraine (Ternopil oblast). My father died in 1970 of a brain tumour. I inherited his meagre wartime possessions including his photographs. These included this portrait which turned out to be of Mr KULYKOWSKYJ. Obviously when I started my research I began by contacting former family friends. Mr KULYKOWSJYJ was one of them. I sent him a copy of the picture with a letter explaining who I was and what I needed to know about my late father (he died when I was 6 and I knew almost nothing about his wartime activities). He did not reply. I telephoned him and he said “what do you want? I never knew your father”. I insisted he did as I had many photos of hi, I knew he was a close friend of my father and was form the same village. He hung up. I did not know at the time that after 40 odd years he was still sacred – probably of being repatriated. It was a big loss to me as he died not long afterwards and I never really forgave him for not telling me what I needed to know. It was one of the first of hundreds of set backs I would encounter when I was researching my book.
Top right: My father in the uniform of the 1st Division of the Ukrainian National Army. In April 1945, after German recognition of the Ukrainian National Committee, the 14 Galician Division was officially renamed 1.Div.Ukr.Nat Army. The uniform was much the same the main difference being the replacement of the Deaths Head skull on the cap for the Trident cap badge (the national emblem of Ukraine). My father also wears a Slovakian belt buckle picked up whilst in Slovakia, in preference to the German Waffen-SS buckle.
Bottom left: DOWBENKO. Another friend of my father.
Bottom right: An nco from the div with his horse in Slovkia December 1944. He died last year. This man was a former member of many Schutzmannschaft units including 201. Prior to that he had served with the Brandenburgers – a special unit which I am sure others know more about than me. He was wounded whilst serving with the Brandenburgers on the Eastern Front, being shot in the leg by a machine gun whilst trying to carry an important message across an exposed position., He was awarded the EK2, for this action. He went into hiding at the end of the war and managed to hide his possessions in Austria which he later recovered, These included his camo poncho (Zeltban?) which he kept in the boot of his car! He was instrumental in organising visits to former battlefields including those in Austria by veterans of the division in England.
Mike Melnyk
Top left: Mychalio KULYKOWSKYJ. He originated from my father’s village of KOROPEC in Ukraine (Ternopil oblast). My father died in 1970 of a brain tumour. I inherited his meagre wartime possessions including his photographs. These included this portrait which turned out to be of Mr KULYKOWSKYJ. Obviously when I started my research I began by contacting former family friends. Mr KULYKOWSJYJ was one of them. I sent him a copy of the picture with a letter explaining who I was and what I needed to know about my late father (he died when I was 6 and I knew almost nothing about his wartime activities). He did not reply. I telephoned him and he said “what do you want? I never knew your father”. I insisted he did as I had many photos of hi, I knew he was a close friend of my father and was form the same village. He hung up. I did not know at the time that after 40 odd years he was still sacred – probably of being repatriated. It was a big loss to me as he died not long afterwards and I never really forgave him for not telling me what I needed to know. It was one of the first of hundreds of set backs I would encounter when I was researching my book.
Top right: My father in the uniform of the 1st Division of the Ukrainian National Army. In April 1945, after German recognition of the Ukrainian National Committee, the 14 Galician Division was officially renamed 1.Div.Ukr.Nat Army. The uniform was much the same the main difference being the replacement of the Deaths Head skull on the cap for the Trident cap badge (the national emblem of Ukraine). My father also wears a Slovakian belt buckle picked up whilst in Slovakia, in preference to the German Waffen-SS buckle.
Bottom left: DOWBENKO. Another friend of my father.
Bottom right: An nco from the div with his horse in Slovkia December 1944. He died last year. This man was a former member of many Schutzmannschaft units including 201. Prior to that he had served with the Brandenburgers – a special unit which I am sure others know more about than me. He was wounded whilst serving with the Brandenburgers on the Eastern Front, being shot in the leg by a machine gun whilst trying to carry an important message across an exposed position., He was awarded the EK2, for this action. He went into hiding at the end of the war and managed to hide his possessions in Austria which he later recovered, These included his camo poncho (Zeltban?) which he kept in the boot of his car! He was instrumental in organising visits to former battlefields including those in Austria by veterans of the division in England.
Mike Melnyk
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