Belarusian Home Defence
Axis collaborationist military force in Belarus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Belarusian Home Defence,[2] or Belarusian Home Guard (Belarusian: Беларуская краёвая абарона, romanized: Biełaruskaja krajovaja abarona, BKA; German: Weißruthenische Heimwehr)[3] were collaborationist volunteer battalions formed by the Belarusian Central Council (1943–1944), a pro-Nazi Belarusian self-government within Reichskommissariat Ostland during World War II.[4] The BKA operated from February 23, 1944 to April 28, 1945. The 20,000 strong Belarusian Home Defence Force was formed under the leadership of Commissioner-General Curt von Gottberg,[4] with logistical help from the German 36th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS known as the "Poachers' Brigade" commanded by Oskar Dirlewanger.[4]
Belarusian Home Defence | |
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Беларуская краёвая абарона Bielaruskaja krajovaja abarona | |
Active | February 23, 1944 – April 28, 1945 |
Country | Reichskommissariat Ostland |
Allegiance | Belarusian Central Council Nazi Germany |
Size | 28,000 troops[1] |
Patron | Radasłaŭ Astroŭski |
Anniversaries | February 23 |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Barys Rahula Francišak Kušal Ivan Yermachenka |