Belarusian Home Defence

Belarusian Home Defence
Беларуская краёвая абарона
Bielaruskaja krajovaja abarona
ActiveFebruary 23, 1944 – April 28, 1945
Country Reichskommissariat Ostland
Allegiance Belarusian Central Council
 Nazi Germany
Size28,000 troops[1]
PatronRadasłaŭ Astroŭski
AnniversariesFebruary 23
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Barys Rahula
Francišak Kušal
Ivan Yermachenka

The Belarusian Home Defence,[2] or Belarusian Home Guard (Belarusian: Беларуская краёвая абарона, romanizedBiełaruskaja 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]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mironowicz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Wilson 2011, also: Home Defence Force.
  3. ^ Abbott 1983, p. 16.
  4. ^ a b c Wilson 2011, p. 113.

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