Russians in the SS-Sonderkommando Dirlewanger

Discussions on the foreigners (volunteers as well as conscripts) fighting in the German Wehrmacht, those collaborating with the Axis and other period Far Right organizations. Hosted by George Lepre.
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michalst
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Russians in the SS-Sonderkommando Dirlewanger

#1

Post by michalst » 25 Feb 2007, 18:34

Did the Russians and/or Ukrainians that served within SS-Sonderkommando Dirlewanger had any special national insignias on their uniforms? Did they wear German or Russian uniforms?
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Serbian boy
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#2

Post by Serbian boy » 25 Feb 2007, 20:54

They wear german uniforms,as far as I know there were not any special insignias for Russians or Ukrainians.
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Askold
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#3

Post by Askold » 26 Feb 2007, 20:37

There is a photo of them in Rolf Michaelis book - they wore no insignia at all.
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michalst
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#4

Post by michalst » 26 Feb 2007, 22:07

Serbian boy and Askold:
Thanks!

Another question:
Did the Direlewanger unit have Russian or Ukrainian officers? I've read about a Russian platoon commander (NCO or maybe not?) in Dirlewanger, but what about senior officers?
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comanche
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#5

Post by comanche » 27 Feb 2007, 04:08

Ivan Melnitchenko was the Zugfuhrer of the Ukranian volunteers in the Dirlewanger Brigade.
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Semenov
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#6

Post by Semenov » 27 Feb 2007, 20:32

In Dirlewanger unit served coy CO August Barchke - volksdeutsche from USSR (former Kdr. der OD im Klichevsk gebeit) and coy CO Ivan Melnitchenko (member OUN-B). Also in this unit some time served Waf.ustuf. Rostislav Murawjew.
They didn't waer any national insignia.
Regards!
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michalst
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#7

Post by michalst » 28 Feb 2007, 09:33

what is a coy CO and OD ?
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#8

Post by Kurt_Steiner » 28 Feb 2007, 14:04

CO = Commander Officer, IIRC
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#9

Post by Semenov » 28 Feb 2007, 17:48

OD=Ordnung Dienst - village milice
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michalst
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#10

Post by michalst » 28 Feb 2007, 19:44

thanks! One last question. Most of the Germans in Dirlewanger where convicts, what about Russians/Ukraininas? Where many of then convicted too? Was the Dirlewanger also used as a "penal" unit for the Russians/Ukrainians?
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re

#11

Post by Semenov » 28 Feb 2007, 22:13

It was penal unit only for german, prorably few ostvolk convicts were from german KL.
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#12

Post by Askold » 01 Mar 2007, 20:33

what about Russians/Ukraininas? Where many of then convicted too? Was the Dirlewanger also used as a "penal" unit for the Russians/Ukrainians?

- Actually yes, most of those were either former KZ guards, desserters or simple criminals, disliked by other Ukrainians or Russians alike. When Dirlewanger brigade was participating in a anti-partisan operation in Slovakia, along with other division and a kampfgruppe from Galicia division, it was forbiddent for Galicia men to approach Dirlewangers so that no fights would erupt. Some time ago a list of foreigns serving with Dirlewanger was publishe don this forum, so if you search, you can get the names of those who served.
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#13

Post by Orlov » 02 Mar 2007, 19:43

Askold and Semenov thanks for interesting informations about Sonderkommando Dirlewanger.

I read Rolf Michaelis and brillant French L. MacLean but I didn't discovered two mysteries re: those "Cruel Hunters".

1. Did Sonderkommando Dirlewanger colaborated to (Polish) 202. Schuma Bataillon at area Minsk?
2. Who were oppressor civilians in time of bloody bath in Warsaw's district Wola in 1-10.08.1944 at Warsaw's Uprising and who're fightning against soldier of Home Army?
I didn't find any infos about service Russians/Ukrainians since Aug. to Oct. 1944

Bestreg
Orlov
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michalst
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#14

Post by michalst » 02 Mar 2007, 23:40

1.Dirlewanger participated in the same anti-partisan operation as Polish Schuma (202) battalion but so did 5000 other SS, police and heer solider, so both units could be located in different parts of the front. If I'm not wrong Sonderkommando did cooperate with an Ukrainian Schuma battalion (57) during this operation.

2. Its very likely that the SS Sonderkommando Dirlewanger consisted of both former Soviet and German soldiers during the fights in Wola. Remember that about 30-40% of all soldiers under German command during the Warsaw Uprising where in fact former Soviet citizens/soldiers.
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#15

Post by comanche » 03 Mar 2007, 01:21

Tha Ukranian Schutzmannschaft battalion 118 was under control of Dirlewanger Brigade and cooperate in some anti partisan operations.
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