BACKGROUND: With the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22ND 1941, the German army and the Waffen-SS encountered large segments of the non-ethnic Russian populace that greeted them as liberators from the yoke of Bolshevism. Although Hitler was suspicious of the ethnic make-up and loyalty of these personnel, the German commanders in the field quickly saw the advantage of utilizing these willing personnel in non-combatant roles. As a result of manpower restrictions, the German army and the Waffen-SS began employing non-ethnic Russian POWs and volunteers as laborers, drivers, supply personnel etc., in the rear areas as early as the summer of 1941, against the express wishes of Hitler. When incorporated into service with the Waffen-SS, these non-uniformed civilian auxiliary personnel were issued an identifying armband to be worn on the upper left sleeve.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 11.5cm tall, 40cm long, white rayon construction armband with black printed Latin script and SS runes in three lines, "Im Dienst der Waffen-SS", (In Service of the Armed-SS), to the obverse. Both the top and bottom edges of the armband have a dual-ply machine stitched hem and the reverse has a vertical seam. Scarce.