Cossack Volunteers

[Arto O]

Hi,

This one comes from unknown german book, the original text says: "Kosaken im dienst der deutschen truppen". Ok, there is no evidence of german insignias. But very impresive flag with papacha, a sabre, a whip and a horseshoe.

Arto

Cossack flag

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[Semenov]

Hi,

Ok, there is no evidence of german insignias. But very impresive flag with papacha, a sabre, a whip and a horseshoe.

Arto

They wear german tunic

[Arto O]

Thanks Semenov,

So it is confirmed that they are in german service. I wonder how you can tell that the tunics are german, I could not tell that looking from back. I wonder what is on the other side of the flag, a skull?
Cheers
Arto

[Semenov]

I wonder how you can tell that the tunics are german, I could not tell that looking from back.

Russian or soviets tunics had different fashion :roll:

I wonder what is on the other side of the flag, a skull?

I doubt

[spgapi]

[spgapi]

[Arto O]

Thanks spgapi,

Excellent photos. Here few more from finnish wartime magazine: The original text says: On the german side fighting Kuban cossack regiment s commander (left) ja his adjutant (right)

Kuban

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The doctor of Kuban cossack regiment.

Doctor

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Fullbeard and earrings belonged to the battledress of Kuban cossacks.

Kuban2

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Cheers
Arto

[spgapi]

[Arto O]

Hi,
In the first section photos sent by spgapi, second photo there is Kuban cossack NCO, with white strap (correct word?) above his KB sleeve insignia. What is that?
Thanks

Arto

[spgapi]

[Arto O]

Hi,

Here two more. On the first one they use russian shirts or tunics. I dont know exactly the model. But they wear german belt buckels, so they should be on german service.

Cossacks

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On the second one the text mention them under the command of Kaminski. But the man at right is not surely Kaminski. The cossack wears very unusual rank insignias. Do somebody knows something about them.
I think to seen these rank insignias in another cossack picture.

Cheers

Arto

Rank insignias

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[Arto O]

Hi,

From finnish wartime magazine: A german is guided by a cossack on Elbrus mountains.

A guide

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From Eddy Bauer, The WWII: Caucasian cossacks in 1942. OK, these riders don´t wear the typical cossack headgears, but I wonder if german cavalry troops would have ride this manner.

"Ghost riders from Caucasia"

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Cheers
Arto

[Panzermahn]

On the second one the text mention them under the command of Kaminski. But the man at right is not surely Kaminski. The cossack wears very unusual rank insignias. Do somebody knows something about them.
I think to seen these rank insignias in another cossack picture.

I believed they are the personal bodyguard unit of General Helmuth von Pannwitz. They also wear large inverted chevrons at both of their sleeves. They are usually armed with automatic weapons

[Arto O]

Thanks Panzermahn,
When you mentioned about the chevron, I recently saw it on the right breast of the cossack. But all the pictures I checked about Pannwitz´s bodyguard, the inverted chevrons are carried at low sleeve. There is a mention that a Cossack Cavalry unit (Gruppo Savoia) in the Italian army wore a chevron white/blue/red colors. After the defection of Italy from the war, the cossack unit was absorbed into the German army. But still this chevron was carried on the upper right arm.

Cheers
Arto

[Arto O]

Here a clear photo.

Unknown collar insignia