The Ukrainian Liberation Army ([Українське Визвольне Військо, Ukrayins’ke Vyzvol’ne Viys’ko] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), UVV) was formed by the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) in 1943 to collect the Ukrainian volunteer units that came into being during World War II. It was composed of former Ukrainian Hiwis (Hilfswilliger), Ostbataillonen, and other Soviet prisoners of war (POWs) or volunteers.
Ukrainian Liberation Army Ukrainian: Українське Визвольне Військо German: Ukrainische Befreiungsarmee | |
---|---|
Active | 1943 - 15 April 1945 |
Country | Nazi Germany |
Branch | Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Mykhailo Omelianovych-Pavlenko Petro Dyachenko |
Headed by Ukrainian general Mykhailo Omelianovych-Pavlenko, the unit grew to the size of 50,000 by 1944 and peaked at some 80,000 towards the end of the war.[1] The army was nothing more than a fictional collection of units scattered all over Europe. In April 1945, remnants of the UVV were attached to the Ukrainian National Army, commanded by general Pavlo Shandruk.
See also
References
Further reading
- Небелюк М. Під чужими прапорами. Paris 1947;
- Thorwald U. Wen sie verderben wollen. Stuttgart 1952;
- Anders W. Hitler's Defeat in Russia. Chicago 1953;
- Луць Горобець С. Курінь ім. Івана Богуна. Газ. "Шлях Перемоги", pp. 6–39. Munich 1967.