Collar Tab for 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (Russische nr. 1)-When I say unissued, I really mean it, since these were never issued due to the short time that the Division was in existence. This division was made up of members of the “Kaminski Brigade”, as an anti-partisan formation made up of people from German controlled areas of Russia. It never reached Division strength. Its leader Bronislav Kaminski named this group as the Russian Liberation People's Army. At that time the brigade's manpower was estimated to be 3,000-4,000 men, by 1943 it grew to 10,000-12,000 and used captured Soviet tanks and weapons. The division was undisciplined and was supposed to be reorganized by the Germans, but this was postponed due to the Warsaw Uprising (which started that same day). On August 4, 1944 the brigade was ordered to assist in the efforts in crushing the Warsaw Uprising. A mixed regiment of 1600-1700 unmarried soldiers from the brigade was used against insurgents until the end of August 1944 when German commanders decided that the unit was too undisciplined and unreliable. On August 19th 1944, Kaminksi was shot and killed, (possibly by the German’s themselves) and this plus the unreliability of the troops as a combat unit ended plans to expand the Kaminski Brigade to a division. In 1945 its number was reassigned to 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Italian). The badge depicts a Maltese cross over crossed swords in silver grey cloth, atop a black wool background. It is an intriguing tab for your collection!