Aserbaidschan Volunteer Shield 1st Pattern

Product Description: This first pattern Aserbaidschan Volunteer Shield is an unssued, wartime example, in excellent condition. This woven sleeve shield is a pattern that was introduced in 1942, to be worn on the uniform of foreign volunteers who fought as part of the German Wehrmacht. The men who wore the Aserbaidschan Volunteer Shield were members of the Aserbaidschan Legion, which was later used to form the 162. (Turkestan) Infanterie-Division of the German Army. The insignia takes the form of a blue, red and green national shield, above which is the word “Aserbaidschan” (Azerbaijan). It’s machine woven (Bevo) construction, with a field gray rayon backing. These early Bevo volunteer shields were later replaced with more simple, printed types that were easier to manufacture, though existing supplies were issued and worn until the end. This one is in excellent condition, with one absolutely tiny spot to the rayon backing, that does not affect the shield. It’s got a few very minor wrinkles, but no holes or damage, and has never been sewn to a uniform. It’s a great representative example of this type of Wehrmacht foreign volunteer insignia.

Historical Description:  As German military power stretched across Europe, many people in the occupied countries volunteered to fight for the German cause. Some were ideologues, some were opportunists, some probably “volunteered” because they had no other choice. In some areas, the Germans eagerly sought volunteers; in others, the Germans were less trusting, and the formation of volunteer units proceeded slowly. But by the end of the war, approximately one million foreign volunteers and conscripts were among those who had fought under Hitler. To distinguish these from German troops, and as a mark of distinction, the Germans authorized special insignia for wear by these volunteers. The insignia took the form of a cloth shield, either woven, embroidered, or printed, that was to be sewn on the uniform sleeve. Some of the foreign volunteer shields were used by specific units of the German Army or Waffen-SS. Others were worn by members of a variety of units and even paramilitary organizations. The design of each shield was chosen to represent the wearer’s nationality. Some were as simple as a national flag or colors, others had more complex designs.

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