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HELMET INSIGNIAS
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Variety of
decals were used on helmets to distinguish various national units.
Ukrainian volunteers used many symbols. While in 14th Grenadier division SS
Galicia its been known that lion decal was used, other volunteers would decorate
their helmets with custom made swastikas and SS runes. Soldiers from Ukrainian
Liberation Army (UVV) used blue and yellow shield diagonally slised or white trident
of St. Volodymyr. Even Soldiers of UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army) would have
their helmets marked to distinguish themselves from the regular troops - thick
white stripe with black U.P.A. sign.
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M-35 helmet, with the insignia of a German "Ostbataillon",
Eastern front 1943/44. Used by Ostbattalions and Ukrainian units. |
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M-35 Triple Insignia Ukrainian Volunteers SS.
White stenciled SS Runes on both sides and tilted Swastika on front, with
rough gray painted over original "Parade Finish Light Green", and an
M-31 leather line. Note: this helmet was originally issued as double decal Heer. |
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German steel helmet with Belorussian shield
painted on side. Helmet decal (white shield with diagonal red stripe) used by Belorussian
volunteers, mainly Schuma and 30th Waffen-Grenadier Division (Belorussian) of the Waffen SS. |
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This helmet was found near town Myslenice in Poland. From one side
it features the regular SS runes on a white shield, but on the other side a blue
decal with SS Galicia's lion and three dukal crowns. |
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Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) which fought with both Russians
and Germans also used German helmets, but in order to distinguish themselves
had painted a thick white line with cyrilic letters "UPA". |
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