BACKGROUND: Belorussia, (Weissruthenien in German), the western area of Russia bordering on Poland, north of the Ukraine and south of the Baltic states was the first region of Russia to be occupied by the Germans and the last to be relinquished back to the Russians. Under German occupation the Belorussian’s were permitted a limited amount of independence and in October 1941 the Belorussian’s formed the BNS, Belaaruskaya Naradnaya Samapomach, (Belorussian People’s Self-Help Organization), as a form of puppet government. In July 1942 the German’s permitted the BNS to form armed home guard units to fight against Soviet partisans in the area. With the Russian offensives in late June and early July 1944 Belorussia was retaken and the Germans and those Belorussian’s loyal to them retreated into Germany. A total of nine battalions where formed. Control was handed to the Waffen-SS in July of 1944.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: German production machine woven, identifying sleeve shield is in the form of an ornate shield with a scalloped top edge with extended rectangular tips and a pointed bottom tip. The word "WEISSRUTHENIEN" to the top. Rare.