|
VOLYNIAN SELF-DEFENCE LEGION
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Legion Volyn' was one of many anty-partizan batallions created
by the Germans to hunt down the partizans. Originallly known as
Ukrainskyi Legion Samooborony (Ukrainian Self-Defence Legion)
this unit was part of Poliska Sich and UPA. Formed in 1943
the Legion had actually engaged in anti-german activities since some
of the SD units while seeking out the red partizans would sometimes
atack the innocent people. Being armed to the teeth, the Legion
posessed a serious threat to the germans who now were not only faced
with the Red partizans, but also with the nationalists. The germans
decided to cooperate with the nationalists and propose a deal: Ukrainian
Legion will be armed and equipped by the German army and SD units
will never engage with the civilians in the future. In turn the Volynian
Legion, as it was now officialy called, won't attack the Germans and would
turn its attention to the Soviet partizans who had also endangered the
civilians. All command in the Legion was in Ukrainian hands and from
the German side Haupsturmfuehrer Asmus and Obersharfuehrer Rauling were
added as aidees.
The Legion engaged in many raids against the partizans and even the
regular Red Army units all over Northern Ukraine, especially in Volyn'
and Kremjanets regions. The Legion was successfull in its actions and
become even more armed. Now it posessed units with mortars and panzerfausts,
its own artillery, pioneer regiment and field hostpital. Officers school
was opened in Lutsk to train the new cadre. The legion even published its
own magazine "Ukrainian Legionary" which was distributed all over the province.
With the advances of the Red Army, the Volynian Legion retrieved West. Along
with other German units, it raided Bukovyna and Krakov regions and eventually
was transferred by a train to Austria and Slovenia. The Legion took actions
against the Slovenian partizans and eventually was attached to the 14th Grenadier
division der SS Galicia in 1945 and since then siezed to exist as an independent
unit.
|
Mykhailo Soltys, commander of the legion.
Morochynsk Officers school near Lutsk
Two members of the legion
|