Ukrainian Waffen SS Galicia Division

Men in civilian clothing carry swastika and SS banners. These are Ukrainian volunteers for the Galician Division of the SS. Swastikas, religious blessing of units. The SS group - stills, published photos, and art work. Parade, men carrying large signs and banners with the symbol of the SS Galiciana unit. Railroad car with SS chalked on the side, close scene, men in the rail car. Translation of Ukrainian narration: SS... Entire classes of students from the theological seminary* and academy were sent here. The Soviet army totally smashed these warriors near Brody. They moved no further than 100 kilometers from Lviv. [The battle near Brody (Western Ukraine) was one of the worst battles during World War II for the SS-Galicia unit. Soviet general Zhukov literally destroyed almost the entire unit. The battle ended on July 23 1944.] These homeland betrayers, educated by the nationalists, deceived by the Uniate Church, would never ever see their homes again. Forever they will wonder under a foreign sky. [Ukrainian Uniate Church - official title Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church - was created in 1596 as a gesture of refusal to accept the jurisdiction of a newly formed Moscow patriarchate. Throughout its history the Church remained a guardian of Ukrainian language, culture, and tradition. During WWII the Church hierarchy was very active in the underground movement for liberation.] *The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's Metropolite Andrei Sheptytsky supported the creation of the SS Galizien, as he saw it as a potential progenitor of a Ukrainian national army, should an independent Ukraine be established following the war.