Idel-Ural Legion

Idel Ural Legion
One of the variants of the Idel Ural Legion patch
Active	1942-1945
Country	Nazi Germany
Type	Ostlegionen
Size	40000
Engagements	World War II

The Volga-Tatar Legion (German: Wolgatatarische Legion) or Legion Idel-Ural (Janalif: Idel-Ural Legionь) denoted a series of units within the Wehrmacht in World War II. It was recruited among Muslim Volga Tatar in the Soviet Union, but also included other Idel-Ural peoples such as Bashkirs, Chuvashes, Mari people, Tatars, Udmurt people, and Mordva.

The legion was established in 1942 and comprised around 12,500 men, spread over seven battalions with the numbers 825 to 831. On February 23, 1943, near Vitebsk, the entire 825 battalion (about 900 soldiers) went over to the partisans.

One of the most notable members of the legion was Tatar poet Musa Cälil, who was later executed by the Gestapo for sabotage.

See also

• Ostlegionen