OSTLEGIONEN Meaning and
Definition
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Ostlegionen is a German term that translates to "East Legions" in English. It refers to the units and formations of foreign volunteers, predominantly from occupied Eastern European countries, that were recruited and employed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
During the war, Germany sought to utilize the manpower of various conquered nations to supplement its own forces. The Ostlegionen were predominantly made up of individuals from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These individuals were enticed to join the German war effort through promises of independence, liberation from Soviet rule, or even economic incentives.
The Ostlegionen were initially formed as auxiliary forces, supporting the German military in non-combat roles such as security, administration, and labor. However, as the war progressed and German casualties mounted, they were increasingly employed in combat roles on the Eastern Front.
These formations varied greatly in terms of size and effectiveness. Some were larger and better-trained, while others were smaller and less experienced. They were often organized into individual national units or integrated into existing German formations.
The Ostlegionen played a significant role in several major battles during the war, including the Battle of Stalingrad and the Siege of Leningrad. However, as the tide of the war turned against Germany, many Ostlegionen suffered heavy losses or disbanded.
Today, the term Ostlegionen is primarily used by historians to describe the foreign volunteer formations of World War II and the complex motivations that led individuals from Eastern Europe to collaborate with Nazi Germany.
Etymology of OSTLEGIONEN
The word "Ostlegionen" is a German term derived from the combination of two words: "Ost" and "Legionen".
1. "Ost" means "east" in German. It is derived from the Old High German word "ost", which has the same meaning. The word ultimately originates from the Proto-Germanic word "austaz" meaning "east". It is related to other Germanic language equivalents, such as the Old English "ēast" and the Dutch "oost".
2. "Legionen" means "legions" in German. It is the plural form of "Legion", which comes from the Latin word "legio". In ancient Rome, a legion was a large military unit consisting of around 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers.
