The SS-Waffengruppe Aserbaidschan was a Waffen-SS formation composed of Azerbaijanis. These Azerbaijani troops were originally Soviet prisoners of war who opted to serve in Wermacht units like the Azerbaijani Legion until they were transferred into the Waffen-SS. They maintained a questionable human rights as well as combat record.
| SS-Waffengruppe Aserbaidschan | |
|---|---|
| File:162lrg.jpg | |
| Active | 1944–1945 |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Waffen-SS |
| Size | Regiment |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Abbas Bey Atam-Alibekov Muhammed Israfil-bey |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |  |
During World War II, there were at least 18,000 Azerbaijanis (late 1944) fighting for Nazi Germany[1]. For these purposes, the National Committee, headed by Muhammed Israfil-bey[2], was created. Azerbaijan was also represented in the so-called Caucasian People's Council by Abbas Bey Atam-Alibekov[3].
One reason behind courting of Turkic soldiers with their Nazi masters was the hope that the-then neutral Turkey would enter the war on the side of the Axis powers.[4]Also, these Azerbaijanis wanted to liberate their homeland from Soviet occupation.
Azeri SS regiments wore a blue-red-blue sleeve ensigns with a crescent and a five-pointed star and the inscription "ASERBAIDSCHAN" over the ensign while Azeri soldiers of the so-called Ostlegionen had a chlorine edging on collar and sleeve, surrounding the emblem.
Origin
In the summer of 1944 it was decided to create an Turkestani volunteer unit for the Waffen-SS[5] with the support of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammad Amin al-Husayni.[6] Existing Moslem units within the Wermacht, and their German officers were transferred into the Waffen-SS. Among those who were transferred into this unit were volunteers from Azerbaijan, along with those from Kirghistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan [5]. This new unit took on the title Ost Musselmanisches Division der SS (East Muslim Division of the SS). One of the regiments in the unit was the Waffen-Gruppe Aserbaidschan composed of ethnic Azerbaijanis.[7]
They first saw action against partisans near Minsk, with their German commander being killed by a sniper[5]. Thereafter, he was replaced by an unwilling Wermacht officer. These men were unruly, and even mutiny broke out. As a result, 78 men were executed[8], desertion became a problem, and the commander was replaced by a Waffen-SS officer.[5]
Atrocities Committed
During the Warsaw Uprising in July, this unit was attached to the infamous Dirlewanger Brigade, notorious for atrocities wherever it operated[5]. First they took part in massacre of 50,000 civilians in the Wola massacre, then moved to the Old Town (another 5,000 sick and wounded murdered after the Polish forces withdrew from the area, the remaining 35,000 being sent to concentration camps) and then to Czerniaków and Powiśle - along the Vistula.
The unit that the Azerbaijanis were attached to went through several name changes after this, eventually becoming Osttürkischer Waffen Verband der SS. It was transferred to Slovakia in the autumn of 1944 where it was predesignated Osttürkischen Waffen-Verbande der SS. In December 1944, 450-500 deserted from this unit of which 300 later returned. The Azerbaijani regiment was removed from the unit 30 December 1944 and transferred to Kaukasischer Waffen-Verband der SS, where it became the SS-Waffengruppe Aserbaidschan. It surrendered to the British at the end of the war.[9]
See Also
References
- ^ Ailsby, Christopher J. (2004). Hitler's Renegades: Foreign Nationals in the Service of the Third Reich. Brassey’s. p. 194. ISBN 1574888382.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|author link=(help) - ^ Hoffman, Joachim (1974). Deutsche und Kalmyken: 1942-1945. Rombach Verlag KG. ISBN 3793001733.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|author link=(help) - ^ Dallin, Alexander (1981). German Rule in Russia, 1941-1945: A Study of Occupation Policies. Westview Press. pp. p. 629. ISBN 0865311021.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|author link=(help) - ^ Hitler's Eastern Legions
- ^ a b c d e Williamson, Gordon (2003). Gebirgsjager: German Mountain Trooper, 1939-45. Osprey Publishing. pp. p.59. ISBN 1841765538.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|author link=(help) - ^ Hitler's Eastern Legions
- ^ Hitler's Eastern Legions
- ^ About Turkic Waffen-SS
- ^ Caucasian SS