Wehrmacht Georgian Volunteer

[TrondK]

Here i have a Dutch tunic reissued for use by a Georgian Volunteer. It has the hard to get Pink shoulderboards. Hope you like it.

[Odulf]

Indeed, many of the Dutch uniforms (tunics, trousers, coats, boots,belts, etc.) were recycled by the Germans. [http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/46864-dutch-army-uniforms-recycled/?hl=dutch ]

Quite a few "volunteers" from the USSR were organized into infantry and labour battalions and they served on the Atlantic Wall as axiliary troops, dressed and armed with 2nd rate equipment (also in The Netherlands). When the invasion occured, they were hastily moved away from the front.

In early April 1945 on the brink of the German surrender, on the Isle of Texel in the Netherlands the Georgians of 822 Georgian Infantry Bat. (consisting of 800 Georgians and about 400 Germans) put up a mutiny against their German officers and NCOs. They realised that after the German capitulation the war was over and the Western Allies would send them over to the USSR as POWs. They had to fear much from Stalin, because they would be classified as deserters and traitors, so they thought to improve their chances of survival when they would "liberate" the Isle of Texel in advance.

But the Germans retaliated and put up a fierce fight, supported by fresh units sent over from the main land. It took the Germans over a month to gain full control over Texel again, as the fighting turned to a guerilla war and did not end until 20 May 1945.

Finally 565 Georgeans were killed (all buried on the Georgian Cemetary near Den Burg in Texel) and also 120 civilians died. The number of German casualties is about 800, but other sources mention the numer of 2000. Because of all this, the Texel is regarded as Europe's last battlefield.

The surviving 236 Georgeans were hidden by local sympathisers or captured by the Germans and/or Canadians, all were send to Uncle Joe in Moscow in June 1945.

[more can be found in this very complete (Dutch) internet document: http://www.derussenoorlog.nl/ ]

Edited September 15, 2014 by Odulf

[TrondK]

Yes these volunteers have a colourful history. Many are not aware of the difficulties the volunteers faced in the war- and after.

I need a jacket with the volunteer Collartabs, but they are difficult to find. If i keep looking for some years more maybe i am lucky.

[Paul R]

Another great jacket. I am sure that most of these ended up in a burn pit before the end of the war.