BACKGROUND: The Ukraine, a large portion of south western Russia, heralded the Germans as liberators from the yolk of Bolshevism when the Germans invaded Russia on June 22ND 1941. The Ukrainian nationalists saw the German invasion as an opportunity to assert their independence from communist rule, and as a result were eager to assist the Germans in the overthrow of the Soviet government. The Ukraine also contained a large population of roughly 400,000 Volksdeutsche, (Ethnic Germans), who were also enthusiastic about assisting the German cause. As a result in early 1943 the Germans established the, UVV, Ukrians’ke Vyzvol’ne Viis’ko, (Ukrainian Army of Liberation), represented by the Cyrillic characters, "YBB". Personnel of the YBB were scattered through-out assorted German units and were granted wear of an identifying sleeve badge to be worn on the left sleeve of the field blouse and a distinctive cap cockade. Cleverly the Germans utilized the Ukrainian colors and the trident emblem of Volodymyr the Great, a Ukrainian military hero who lived from 979 to 1015 in deference to the Ukrainians.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 32mm diameter, stamped, two piece, alloy construction Ukrainian cap cockade with gilt and light blue finishes. The high relief cockade features a gilt, fluted base with a central, light blue painted, circular field with a separate, gilt washed, trident of Volodymyr the Great to the center. The trident is secure to the cockade by two, small bent over prongs which are visible to the reverse. Both main attachment prongs are complete. The gilt finish is fully retained and still quite bright while the light blue finish is retained about 95%. The hollow reverse has two, soldered on attachment prongs intact. The cockade has no visible manufacturer’s markings. Very nice example.