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Uniforms and Insignia of the Cossacks in the German Wehrmacht in World War II (Schiffer Military History Book)

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UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF THE COSSACKS IN THE GERMAN WEHRMACHT IN WORLD WAR II
PETER SCHUSTER and HARALD TIEDE
SCHIFFER PUBLISHING, 2004
HARDCOVER, $49.95, PHOTOGRAPHS, 162 PAGES, BIBLIOGRAPHY


The Cossacks originated from the communities which had existed on the frontiers of the Russian Empire, forming a social and cultural entity without being a specific national group. The main groups were the Don, Kuban, Terek, and Zaporozhian Cossacks, but there were other smaller groups from a wide range of different areas. In Nazi Germany they were in an anomalous position because they weren't regarded as Slavs. Emigre Cossacks had supported Hitler in the 1920s for his anti-Bolshevism. It was argued, therefore, that Cossacks were descended from the Goths and were Aryans. But, even in spite of this, the overwhelming majority of Cossacks remained loyal to the Soviet government. Nazi policy on the Cossacks was never consistent. Rosenberg envisaged creating 'Cossackia' in the Don and Volga regions, but this plan was abandoned. Attempts to establish self-governing areas in the Kuban were opposed by the Ostministerium and the SS. In 15 April 1942, Hitler sanctioned the formation of Cossack units. The 1st Cossack Division was formed in April, 1943 under the command of Lt. General Helmuth von Pannwitz and it consisted of regiments from the Don, Kuban, Terek, and Siberia. This unit later was redesignated the XV Cossack Corps and was administratively incorporated into the SS. Emigre Cossacks such as General P.N. Naumenko, General A.G. Shkuro, and General V.G. Naumenko sides with the Germans because Germany was the only great power fighting the Bolsheviks. Younger Cossacks, such as Major I.N. Kononov (graduate of the Frunze Military Academy, veteran of the war against Finland, recipient of the Order of the Red Banner, and a member of the Communist Party since 1927) who had deserted with his regiment from the Red Army and joined Pannwitz. He didn't agree with the more reactionary attitudes of the older generation and tended to look to General Vlasov (of the RONA) for leadership. Kononov recruited former Soviet Army deserters and volunteers from a number of German POW camps and in September, 1941, the unit of 1,876 officers and enlisted was designated the 120th Don Cossack Regiment. The German liaison officer was Lt. Count Rittberg. It's strength increased over time and it was redesignated the 600th Don Cossack Battalion. It was employed in the establishment of a new special Cossack armored unit-the 17th Cossack Armored Battalion. This unit was integrated into the German Third Army and was frequently employed in frontline operations. In March, 1944, a directorate of Cossack forces, headed by Krasnov, was created. His forces, several thousand strong, moved through Poland and southern Germany to the foothills of the Carnic Alps in northeastern Italy. He wouldn't agree to unite with Vlasov's forces while von Pannwitz XV Cossack Corps was sent to Yugoslavia to fight Tito and the partisans. The Germans employed the Cossacks to fight partisans, general rear area duties, and some frontline combat but unfortunately the behavior of some of the Germans in the occupied territories worked against them and it is estimated only about 250,000 Cossacks fought for the Germans. The term Cossack-and Ukrainian-was often used loosely to denote Soviet citizens serving in the Wehrmacht. On May 19, 1945, the XV Cossack Division surrendered to the British 2nd Armored Division and its men and families were subsequently handed over to the Soviets according to the terms of the Yalta Agreement. The officers were killed while the rest were sent to the Gulag. UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF THE COSSACKS IN THE GERMAN WEHRMACHT IN WORLD WAR II is one of the most complete and informative books on the Cossacks that served with the German Wehrmacht. It not only has information on the uniforms and decorations but also a very detailed order of battle and excellant photographs. This book does an outstanding job of detailing a very little known topic of World War II and the authors should be congragulated for tackling a subject like this.


Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard
Orlando, Florida