Cossack Collaboration in World War II (1941 – 1945) – Cossacks in the German Army

Cossacks in the German Army: Cossachs in the Wehrmacht and SS Cossack units; in this video I will talk about pro-German Cossacks. The Cossacks came from Southern Russia. There were Don Cossacks, Terek Cossacks, Kuban Cossacks, Siberian Cossacks and others. Why would Cossacks fight for Germany in the Second World War? For that we have to go back to the Russian Civil War. Cossacks mostly fought on the side of the White Movement. There were even short-lived Cossack states: Kuban People's Republic (1918–1920) and the Don Republic (1918–1920). Both were conquered by the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks issued a policy of Decossackization which was continued by Stalin. Needless to say: many Cossacks had strong anti-Soviet sentiments. Then Germany invaded the Soviet Union and several Cossack formations saw the light of day: first Security Units, then the 1st Cossack Division (1. Kosaken-Division) and later the XIV Cossack Cavalry Corps (XIV. SS-Kosaken-Kavallerie-Korps) and the XV SS Cossack Cavalry Corps. These were led by German General Helmuth von Pannwitz. Also Cossack émigré Pyotr Krasnov and Andrei Shkuro played a role. Cossacks in de Wehrmacht and Cossacks in the SS were present during World War II.
History Hustle presents: Cossack Collaboration in World War II (1941 – 1945) – Cossacks in the German Army.

SOURCES
– Cossacks in the German Army, 1941-1945 (Samuel J. Newland).
– Joining Hitler's Crusade. European Nations and the Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941 (David Stahel) The Soviet Union (Oleg Beyda and Igor Petrov).
– Hitler's Russian & Cossack Allies 1941-45 [Men-at-arms] (Nigel Thomas).
– Foreign Legions of the Third Reich Volume 4 (Littlejohn David).
– Russia's War (Richard Overy).

IMAGES

VIDEO
Video material from:
Cossack Division Early in the War (1941)
Russian Cossacks - Soldiers Of Wehrmacht
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

MUSIC
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

SOUNDS

[HistoryHustle]

Learn more about non-Germans for the Axis Powers:

[danielkomarov]

What an amazing and informative video! My grandfather was a Ukrainian Cossack from Crimea who collaborated with the Germans and he met my grandmother in Kremenchuk, Ukraine while he was on the run from the Soviets. My father was born in the Peggetz DP camp in Lienz, Austria. It’s thought that my grandfather surrendered to the British troops in Austria and that’s how my dad and his family ended up there. My family told me that my grandfather was suspicious of the British because they ordered all Cossacks to show up to a meeting in military uniform. He disobeyed and hid in the forest with my grandmother and my infant father. My grandfather watched from a distance as Cossacks resisted repatriation, were beaten and rounded up on to train carriages and as you said, some took their own lives. My grandfather and grandmother escaped with my father and after years in hiding and on the run, they arrived in Australia in 1949. My father died in 2016 and was doing in depth research to find out more about my grandfather’s story. He never told Dad the whole truth as he was afraid he would be found out by the Soviets for deserting and fighting with the enemy. I visited the site of the Peggetz camp in Lienz in 2016 and I’m continuing my dad’s research so I would very much appreciate any videos you could make on the massacre in Lienz and what may have come of Cossack refugees after that, particularly those few who escaped. Thank you for your hard work!!

[Albert-Arthur-Wison]

The usual amount and degree of both visual and narrated detail that Stefan never fails to deliver. Thank you, sir !

[surinfarmwest]

I remember my old man telling me about the forced repatriations. He was RAF on his way back home at the end of the war and they knew what was going to happen to these men. A very dark time for the UK government.

[rudolphguarnacci]

Love the depth of your discussions. This one, for whatever reason, this is parricularly interesting. It must be the mystique that surrounds the word "cossack."

[PanzerdivisionWiking]

Really interesting subject! I really enjoy the topics you pick to teach about, you don’t hear a lot of channels creating content like History Hustle. Thank you for all the research you do, I learn so much from your channel!

[vladislavovich]

My relatives served in the Terek Cossacks' regiment in general Panvitz division. I am very proud of them. At least they took revenge on Bolsheviks, payed them for genocide of Terek Cossacks during Russian civil war of 1917- 22.

[mason]

Thank you for all that you do I have learned a lot from you and I thank you for every new video you make. I also wish you the best in everything you do in life brother.

[edwardheida]

As always, your history lesson did not disappoint. Thank you

[IAmAwesomeSoAreYou]

I love learning about the cossacks. Great video!

[mammuchan]

What a fascinating story, I loved the longer format!

[dnice]

I love your videos cause I learn something new every time keep them coming Best of luck to you Hustling History for all of your Followers/Sub's. Thanks

[solin.victus]

You're now one of the Big Threes of YouTube history in my opinion, right next to Mark Felton and TimeGhost History (also their sub-channel WWII). Awesome content!

[KozakDio]

Finally a video on my people too, I love my culture and I am a Cossack from Semerichiye host, I have my uniform and my kubanka as I live in Canada with a Cossack community from Kazakhstan!

[danielgreen]

Apparently British soldiers were forced to drive them onto the trains knowing that these people were more than likely to get shot at best!! Shamefull incident

[sirdarklust]

Your opening made me think of Monty Python's, "And now a Scotsman on a horse." Good material and delivery, as always. Take care.

[tonnywildweasel]

Another very intresting history! I knew some, but learned more again. Thanks once again Stefan!
Greets, T.

[sammni]

Don't miss a video now buddy. I'm loving your videos

[TheIsemgrim]

cant wait to hear more about this subject.

[drholmes]

a very, very enlightening channel. this should have a lot more views than it does! keep it up!