Description
Textbook example of a very hard to find Dachau produced collar tab for men in the Waffen-SS ‘Ostturkische Waffen-Verband der SS.’ These tabs were never issued, but are occasionally found in U.S. veteran groupings who went to Dachau Concentration Camp and raided the hoards of insignia to bring home. Consisting of a wolf head embroidered in white thread on a black base, this example has no damage and some slight stains on the reverse buckrum stiffener. I have collected and sold SS insignia for many years, this is my first example that I have had the pleasure of owning. Very sought after piece of SS insignia!
Note – The Osttürkischer Waffen-Verband der SS was formed 1944 as 1. Ostmuselmanisches SS-Regiment with the support of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Hajj Amin al-Husseini, with the intention of expanding it to a division, Muselmanischen SS-Division Neu-Turkistan. The men came from the Turkic units in the Heer that were disbanded (450th, 480th and I/94 Turkic battalions), prisoners of war and men working in Germany.
It was transferred to Belorussia in February 1944 were it trained and was used for anti-partisan missions. The unit contained some troublesome elements and SS-Hauptsturmführer Billig tried to handle the problem by shooting 78 suspected mutineers, but he was soon removed from command.
It was sent to Poland where it fought the Polish Home Army during the Warsaw uprising, being attached to the SS-Regiment Dirlewanger.