S005495 23. SS FREIWILLIGEN PANZER GRENADIER DIVISION "NEDERLAND" (NIEDERLANDISCHE NR.1) COLLAR TAB. (Kragenpatte)

BACKGROUND: As early as 1938 Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler and the Allgemeine SS, (General SS), began recruiting volunteer "Germanische", (Germanic), personnel who were considered to be suitably "Nordic", to serve in the SS VT, SS Verfügungstruppe, (SS Special Purpose Troops). Originally these Germanic personnel were drawn from Dutch, Belgian, Danes and Norwegians but with only minor success. In March 1940 with the formation of the Waffen SS, recruitment of the Germanic personnel began to increase slightly and with the outbreak of WWII additional Germanic volunteers came forward to join the ranks of the Waffen SS. On May 25TH 1940 the first Dutch volunteers were assigned to the newly formed "Westland" regiment. In July 1941 the Germans began formation of the SS Freiwilligen Verband Niederlande, (SS Volunteer Unit Netherlands), which was renamed, SS Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande in August of that year. On May 20TH 1943 the SS Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande was disbanded and its personnel were utilized to form the 4. SS Freiwillingen Panzer Grenadier Brigade "Nederland" in October of that year which would eventually evolve into the 23.SS Freiwilligen Grenadier Division "Nederland" (niederlandische Nr.1). Originally personnel of the SS Freiwilligen Verband Niederlande wore the standard SS runic collar tab on the right hand side of the uniform until the autumn of 1941 when a vertical Wolfsangel, (Wolves Hook), was introduced. On November 11TH 1941 the Germans produced a horizontal Wolfsangel collar tab to replace the vertical pattern. Of Note: The horizontal Wolfsangel pattern collar tab was also allegedly worn by personnel of 34.SS Freiwillingen Grenadier Division "Landstorm Nederland". Also Of Note: The Divisional numerical designation, "23" was allotted to this Division after the first, 23. Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS "Kama" (kroatische Nr.2), was disbanded in September 1944.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, German manufactured, right hand side black wool construction collar tab with machine woven, horizontally positioned "Wolfsangel", (Wolf Hook), in silver/grey threads. The collar tab is mounted on a tan buckram backing.

GRADE ****1/2                             PRICE $750.00

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