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UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ARMY (UNA) PAGE
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[14th SS Grenadier Division "Galicia"]  [Anti-Panzer Brigade "Vilna Ukraina"]  [Parachute Brigade "Gruppe B"]
1st Ukrainian Division of Ukrainian National Army
commanded by gen. Fritz Freitag
Latter 2nd Division of Ukrainian National Army
commanded by gen. Petro Diachenko
Special paratroopers formation commanded by gen. Taras Bulba-Borovets

Ukrainian National Army became the largest Ukrainian formation during the war and included most of Ukrainian volunteers from the German Army. The Ukrainian National Committee which was formed in 1944 and approved by Alfred Rosenberg had elected former officer from UNR (Ukrainian People's Republic 1918-1921) Pavlo Shandruk as the general and supreme commander of UNA. Members of his staff had included Dr. Kubijovych from the Military Board, representatives from Eastern Ukraine and both OUN-M (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists) and OUN-B fractions. Chief of staff was colonel Vyshnivsky and chief of communications V. Serediuk. Other generals included Omelanovych-Pavlenko and D. Bakun.

In beginning of 1945 division of UNA began to form. Two divisions were already formed:

a. 1st Division of UNA - from 14th Division SS Galicia which was handed over in March 1945.

b. 2nd Division of UNA - from anti-panzer brigade "Vilna Ukraina", which grew in strength to equivalence of full division and some Schuma battalions.

There were also plans for creation of 3rd and 4th divisions out of Ukrainian SS youth and members of UVV but these were prevented by the end of the war.

 

ANTI-PANZER BRIGADE "VILNA UKRAINA"
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Anti-Panzer Brigade "Vilna Ukraina" (Free Ukraine) was part of UNA (Ukrainian National Army) and was formed in February 22nd 1945 with approval of general Shandruk. Most of the men were taken from Berlin firefighters units which included 85% of Ukrainians in them. From the firefighter crues 500 people were extracted. These were mostly Ukrainians from the Soviet Army and some of them held officers ranks. Latter more troops were added and the brigade personnel totalled 2000 people.

The training started on February 25th and was conducted in the city of Nimek, 40 kilomiters west from Berlin. From the recruits 3 jaeger detachments were formed, one machinegun, mortar, maintainance and motorcycle platoons were also created. The formation of Brigade was typical to other German Anti-Panzer or Falschirm-Jaeger brigades. Major General Petro Diachenko was selected to be in charge of the Brigade and Major Volodymyr Hladych was the head of staff. Most of the officers were Ukrainian officers from the Soviet Army and former police units.

After the end of training the brigade was dispatched for frontal action around Glaz region. The brigade then joined the German Goering corps. The briged was fighting around the city of Bautsen and cleared the Autoban Bautsen-Drezden from the enemies. At the battle of Bautsen the Brigade defeated part of the 7th Polish Divison formed by the Soviets, mainly the 19th regiment, capturing 300 prisoners, including the commander of the Polish division, Lilewski.

In this battle the Brigade proven its skills. Many officers were awarded iron crosses, and General Diachenko was personally awarded this medal by the commander of German Goering corps, with whom they became friends.

At this time the Brigade became better equipped. It was armed with Stg-44 automatic rifles, captured machine guns and artillery and was completely motorized. The HQ had few Volkswagen in their disposal. By early Spring, Frei Ukraine was co-joined with another Ukrainian brigade (Pituley Brigade, commanded by major Pituley) and formed the 2nd division of Ukrainian National Army (UNA). On the 5th of May the division left the German Goering corps to join the 1st division of UNA (former 14th SS Galicia). Unfortunatelly by this time the division was trapped along with other German units around Sudeten region and for many days had to fight trough the Soviet ranks in order to try to reach the Western Allies. Only 30% of 2nd div. UNA managed to reach the American side, others were either captured by the Soviets or died fighting.

 

PARACHUTE BRIGADE "GRUPPE B"
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The parachute brigade was party of UNA and was formed in beginning of February, 1945 under the orders of general Pavlo Shandruk. From the German side, the paratroopers brigade was sponsored by the Jagdverband Ost under the command of SS standartenfuehrer Otto Scorzeny. The German side was represented by major Aeuh and Ukrainian section in the Jagdverband Ost by T. Bulba-Borovets (former commander of UNRA - Ukrainian National-Revolutionary Army). The brigade totalled 400 men, forming two regiments, although plans were to increase it to 5,000 people. The brigade was trained in city of Jaltburgund.

In the spring of 1945, the brigade was to be involved in operation "Maiglockchen" (Konvalii). It was to be parachuted in Western Ukraine and continue waging a guerilla type war against the Red Army, however the operation did not occur due to lack of fuel for the planes.

Members of "Gruppe B" wore typical falschirmjaeger uniforms, probably with UNA cap badges. T. Bulba-Borovets himself wore uniform of a Wehrmacht general without any UNA distinctions.

General Pavlo Shandruk, commander
of Ukrainian National Army.
Anniversary medal
for all members of UNA.
P. Diachenko, commander of the Brigade,
and latter general of the 2nd UNA Division.
V. Hladych, chief of staff of the Bridade.
click to enlarge
Gen. Bulba-Borovets,
commander of "Gruppe B".
Gen. Bulba-Borovets (in the middle)
and the members of his staff:
colonel A. Dolud and M. Boyar.

UNA FLAGS
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Flag of Ukrainian National Army, 1945.
Veteran's flag of the 2nd Division of UNA,
it is believed to be the copy of the original.

UNA PATCHES
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UNA Trident patch supposedly was to be worn by all the forces, however some attribute this patch to UVV.
Cross of the 2nd Division
Shoulder patch for the
2nd Division of UNA
UNA trident cap badge which replaced the Skull badge

UNIFORMS
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Falschirmjaeger officer from Anti-Panzer
brigade "Vilna Ukraina", latter 2nd Division
of Ukrainian National Army (UNA)
Paratroopers uniform
General Pavlo Shandruk of UNA, the uniform is the same as of SS general except the German
regalias are replaced with Ukrainian - Trident hat badge and UNA general's collar patches. The Galician Lion shield is still attained.

UNA RANKS
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UNA collar insignia designed for the
upper levels: 1. Brigadier-General, 2. Colonel.

As for the other ranks, the SS ranking system remained and soldiers (of the 1st Division of UNA) continued to wear the Galician Lion. Some of the higher ranking officers managed to receive the newly made Trident collar patches. Chaplains wore plain collar patches with cross attached from both sides.

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