Osprey: Hitler's Eastern Legions 1942-45

by Osprey & Shumate, Johnny (Illustrator)

ISBN: 9781472839541

Published: 2020-08-18

This illustrated study details the organization, battle orders, combat history, uniforms, and insignia of the World War II units recruited by Nazi Germany from ethnic minorities in the USSR. Between 1941–45, the Germans recruited around 175,000 men from a number of minorities in the USSR, distinguishing between "Turkomans" (predominantly Muslims) and "Caucasians" (predominantly Orthodox Christians). Of these, many formed rear-area auxiliary units, but at least 55,000 were combat troops. The first recruits formed two battalions in the 444th Security Division raised as early as November 1941; during 1942–43 seven legions were formed, each of several battalions, eventually totaling some 53 battalions (equivalent to about 6 full divisions). However, with one exception (162nd Turkoman Division), they were not deployed as whole formations; after training in Poland, individual battalions were posted to fill out German regiments in the front lines, at first in Army Group South but later in...