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PANZERS
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It is impossible to estimate the exact number of Ukrainians, who served in
the panzer armies. Most of them would be among captured Soviet tank crews or
those with mechanical skills. Some recruitment would also be among the students,
especially among those who stydied in Germany at that time and would be proficient
in German language. Variety of duties was performed, from tank repair crues to upper
ranks in the panzer armies. On some occasions Ukrainians from the panzers would be
sent as morale boost to the regular Ukrainian troops in Waffen SS and Wehrmacht.
Thus when 14th Grenadier Division SS Galicia was in Austria, they received a speaker
Unterstumfuehrer Olesnytsky who gave them a lecture on the modern tank warfare and
developments of the new models.
Besides the German army, some Ukrainians were among the panzer crews of the
tanks with wich the Kaminsky Brigade was outfitted. Major Kostenko was in charge
of KONR's armor units which composed of a number of T-43 and Hetzers.
One of the most famous Ukrainians in this part of the army was Obersturmfuehrer
Roman Klymkevych. At age 20 he volunteered for the panzer coprs, while studying
in Wienna in December of 1940. With the panzer armies he fought in Ukraine for Kiev
and Chernigiv and latter in Belarus. In 1943-44 his unit was transfered to
Yugoslavia where he engaged with Tito's partisans. In the Summer of 1944 he
was transfered to Southern France where he was wounded and captured by the Allies
and kept in POW campt until 1946. Troughout his service with the Panzers
Obersturmfuehrer Roman Klymkevych was awarded with Iron Cross (Second Class),
Merit Cross with Swords, Winter Campaign medal and Wound Badge.
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Markian Jaremych, an officer from the Wermacht Panzer corps,
awarded EK 2 and silver Wound badge. On his left is Wermacht officer Jaroslaw Struminsky,
who also wears EK 2.
Obersturmfuerhrer Roman Klymkevych
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