Waffen-SS Foreign Vol Collar Tab 36th Dirlewanger
Price: Sold
Description: 1944 pattern, right hand side, unit designation, black wool construction collar tab features machine embroidered, crossed rifles positioned above a horizontal, stick grenade in silver-gray rayon threads. The collar tab is mounted on a tan buckram backing. The collar tab is in overall excellent, un-issued condition with minimal age toning.
Price: $425
Background: The 36. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Dirlewanger” was originally formed in early 1944 from convicted criminals, primarily poachers, cashiered army personnel and other undesirables as the SS-Regiment “Dirlewanger”. The unit evolved into the SS-Sturmbrigade “Dirlewanger” in December 1944 and in February 1945 the unit gained Divisional status and was designated, 36. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Dirlewanger”. Although given Divisional status on paper the unit actually never surpassed Brigade strength. The commander of the 36. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Dirlewanger”, a decorated WWI veteran, a Freikorps member and a Condor Legion veteran, SS-Oberführer d.R. Dr. Oskar Dirlewanger, was also a convicted child molester who had once been expelled from the SS on a morals charge. Dirlewanger was also highly decorated being a recipient of the German Cross in Gold and the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. Renowned for his brutality, Dirlewanger played a key part in the German atrocities committed during the Warsaw uprising in August 1944. Considered extremely unreliable there were allegedly numerous requests for his dismissal by German army commanders that were ignored. Captured by the western allies Dirlewanger was allegedly killed while in captivity.
