Ukrainian Liberation Army

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 German Army during World War II.[2] A single formation by that name did not exist.[2] The designation was used by Ukrainian nationalists in reference to a number of companies and local Ostbataillonen of Hiwi volunteers desiring to free their own territories from the Soviet rule. They included enlisted Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) of 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]

Ukrainian Liberation Army
Ukrainian: Українське Визвольне Військо
German: Ukrainische Befreiungsarmee
Ukrainian Liberation Army oath to Adolf Hitler
Active1943 – 15 April 1945
Country Ukraine
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch German Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsWorld War II
Insignia
Insignia of the Ukrainian Liberation Army

Command

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.[1]

See also

References
  1. Peter Abbott; Eugene Pinak (2012). Ukrainian Armies 1914–55. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 16, 47. ISBN 178096403X.
  2. 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 – via Internet Archive (April 30, 2009).
  4. Carlos Caballero Jurado (1983). Foreign Volunteers of the Wehrmacht 1941-45. Translated by Alfredo Campello, David List. Osprey. p. 29. ISBN 0850455243.
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