BACKGROUND: With the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22^ND 1941 the German army encountered large segments of the non-ethnic Russian populace that greeted them as liberators from the yoke of Bolshevism. Although Hitler was suspicious of the ethnic make-up and loyalty of these personnel the German commanders in the field quickly saw the advantage of utilizing these willing personnel in non-combatant roles. As a result of manpower restrictions the German army began employing non-ethnic Russian POW’s and volunteers as laborers and supply personnel in the rear areas as early as the summer of 1941 against the express wishes of Hitler. The Waffen-SS followed the army’s lead and also incorporated non-ethnic Russian personnel into its units. In November 1943 the Ostmanische SS-Division was formed with voluntary Muslim personnel primarily from the Turkistan, Crimea, Idel-Ural and Azerbaijan regions of southwestern Soviet Union. Originally it was Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler’s intent to utilize the Ostmanische SS-Division as a parent and training unit with the hope of raising further non-ethnic Russian volunteer units. With fewer volunteers then hoped for enlisting the unit was re-designated, 1.Ostmusselmanisches SS-Regiment in July 1944. However with more volunteers press ganged into service the unit received its final designation as, Osttürkischer Waffen-Verband der SS on October 1^ST 1944. Due to the large amount of ethnic Muslims in the unit it was decided that the authorized cufftitle be in green instead of the normal SS black. Of Note: Although period manufactured it is doubtful that these cufftitles were ever issued for wear.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 1 3/16" tall, by 17 1/4" long, full length, bright green, BeVo, machine woven, rayon construction cufftitle with machine woven, SS runes and Latin script, "Osttürkischer Waffen-Verband der SS", (East Turkistan Armed-Unit of the SS), in white rayon threads. The cufftitle is bordered at both the top and bottom edges in vertically woven, white rayon threads with fine, black/green, outside edging. The cufftitle has the typical "salt and pepper" patterned reverse. The cufftitle is in overall very good condition with minimal age toning and minor fraying to the unfinished ends.

GRADE ****                                 PRICE $799.00