Free India Legion Hockey team

[Adrian Stevenson]

Just found another great photo which I had not seen before. I realise they were not yet Waffen SS at this point in time, but I include it here for interest's sake. Foreign volunteer pics are always popular.

Note the armshield design badge but worn on the hockey jersey. I know Bob H has a very desirable original arm shield in his collection.

Original caption:

Titel: Bordeaux, Hockeyspiel Wehrmachtsangehöriger

Zusatz: Frankreich, Atlantikwall, bei Bordeuax.- Stadion Bordeaux, Hockeyspiel einer indischen gegen eine deutsche Wehrmachtsmannschaft; PK 696

Cheers, Ade.

[OKW]

When was this taken Ade?
The Race and Resettlement people must have turned somersaults to get these people into the SS. Not exactly nordic supermen.

[Adrian Stevenson]

This was one was taken in 1944.

Even though not "Nordic", they were "Aryan". But by this stage of the war, manpower stortage plus political considerations played a huge part.

Some info here.

Indische Legion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here are a few more pics (mostly well known) but I include them for reference.

A very nice private photo album sold on E Bay last year with lots of rare photos in it. I would have bid but the price shot up out of reach.

Cheers, Ade.

[SSpolizei]

Truly rare photos, thanks for sharing.


best
DC

[Kursk]

Interesting photos..

..but it ain't hockey unless there is ice!

[Ed_Haynes]

Interesting. There is less than certainty regarding their SS status. It was certainly true not across the board. Many collectors make many myths.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Bringing this old thread back with a couple of other pics of the unit.

A rare image showing the later SS Tiger collar tab in wear.

Cheers, Ade.

[talltom]

some very nice photos ade thanks for sharing

tom

[talltom]

you might like these images

tom

[Adrian Stevenson]

More interesting images