Georgien Volunteer Sleeve Shield 1st Pattern

Product Description: This is an unissued, first pattern Bevo Georgien Volunteer Sleeve Shield. These were worn on the uniform sleeves of volunteers from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic who served in the Georgian Legion, which formed in December 1941 and fought alongside the German armed forces in WWII. The Georgien volunteer sleeve shield features the word “Georgien” (German for Georgia), above a national shield emblem on a field gray backing. This Georgien Volunteer Sleeve Shield is the first, Bevo woven pattern, made of rayon (later ones were printed). It has a couple of tiny holes in the backing that do not affect the shield part of the insignia, but is otherwise perfect, with only extremely slight age toning. This Georgien volunteer sleeve shield remains in excellent condition, having never been sewn on a uniform. It’s a textbook original.

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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