UKRAINIAN LEGION (VVN)
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This formation was created before the outset of Hitlers invasion of Poland and was along with Slovenian volunteers to be the only Eastern European group to participate in the Polish Campaign.

The unit was formed in secrecy and was called by Ukrainians - Vijskovi Viddily Natsionalistiv (Military Groups of Nationalists) - which in Latin letters looked BBH, so Germans code-named this formation Berg-Bauern Hilfe (Help for Mountainers). Both of these names were not used, and more popular name Ukrainian Legion was given. The unit was formed mainly out of members of OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists), Ukrainian students, who studied in Austria and Germany and from former soldiers of Karpatho-Ukraine Army. The latter ones, because of their status were given officers ranks. The training school was in Saubersdorff in Austria, and the main headquarters in Breslau. The training included sniper shooting, various weapons handeling, cirminology, police rules and regulations, propaganda, self-defence and various sabotage techniques.

From all the volunteers two infantry regiments were formed, which were outfitted in the Czecho-slovakian uniformes dyed black. The only distinctions known were the head pin - a styalized OUN Trident with sword in the middle and a larger metal shield with the same emblem and Glogy to Ukraine slogan. The Legion was armed with light arms and also contained motorcycle detachment. The regimets moved in through Axis Slovakia and were attached in smaller groups to various German formations. The groups of Ukrainian Legion marched then through the river San and marched on Stryj and Lviv. The main tasks of the Legion was to informs the civilians about the Ukrianian movement, spread the propaganda and seek out the remains of Polish Army, preventing them to escape to Romania. After the end of the Polish campaign in December 1939 the Legion was demobilized and those who were students, returned to their studies while others joined the local police forces or joined D.U.N. Legion.

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One of the commanders of the legion, Ivan Jurkiw.
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Ukrainian Legion in Zakopane, Slovakia
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On Slovako-Ukrainian border
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During break in Galicia
Ukrainian Legion cockade and breast shield
Produced in Germany in 1939