{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-croatian-13th-waffen-ss-mountain-division-handschar-collar-tab-with-provenance","title":"Original German WWII Croatian 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division \"Handschar\" Collar Tab with Provenance","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice right side Collar Tab, used by the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS \"Handschar\" (1st Croatian). The tab is a parallelogram with sides measuring 2 1\/4\" x 1 5\/8\". Known as \u003cem\u003eKragenpatte\u003c\/em\u003e in German, these were attached to the collars to indicate the rank and branch of the wearer. This example shows a \u003cem\u003eSwas\u003c\/em\u003e (Swas), next to a hand holding a sword, and is made of black fabric with silver\/white thread and an internal buckram fabric stiffener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example was acquired by \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. AAF 1st Lt. William George Keen\u003c\/strong\u003e, who was escorting Danish photojournalist \u003cstrong\u003eA.E. Andersen\u003c\/strong\u003e from the magazine Billed-Bladet to the camp. Included is a copy of the letter of provenance we received with this collar tab, written and signed by Keen's nephew George Zepp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insignia is in excellent condition, most likely unissued, and was never attached to a uniform. Ready to add to your collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable history of the 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division \"Handschar\" (1st Croatian Division) include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Approved to form as an SS unit February 13, 1943, as the first non-Germanic SS foreign volunteer division. These men were not authorized wear of the SS runic emblem, and they wore this distinctive collar insignia instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Prior to the formation of the division, approval also had to be granted by the Croatian government.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- 26,000 men were recruited by mid-1943.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- In February 1944, the division served in Bosnia, Serbia, and Sirmium completing anti-Partisan operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Late 1944, the Division served in southern Hungary in front-line fighting against the advancing Russians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- May 8th 1945 the division surrendered to British troops.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40428375375941,"sku":"ONSV22WON158","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22WON158__01.jpg?v=1668796876","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-croatian-13th-waffen-ss-mountain-division-handschar-collar-tab-with-provenance","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}