BACKGROUND: With the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22ND 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. Of all the eastern peoples the Cossacks were the most favored by the Germans and when Reichsminister für die besetzten Ostgebiete, (National Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories), Alfred Rosenburg discovered they were of German, (Ostrogoths), not Slavic descendant the Cossacks were readily accepted to serve with the Germans. This resulted in assorted Cossack units being formed until May 1943 when the 1ST Cossack Cavalry Division was formed from Don, Kuban and Terek Cossacks. Uniforms and insignia for the foreign eastern volunteers was first introduced on December 12TH 1942 with a second pattern insignia being introduced on May 29TH 1943. The second pattern shoulder strap/boards of the eastern volunteers were based on the insignia of the Imperial Russian Army with assorted colored waffenfarbe to distinguish the particular ethnic make-up and/or region of origin of the wearer.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: German production machine woven collar tab. The tab has a green rayon center surrounded by a pink rayon border.