"Mobilization on the voluntary basis": enlistment to the Waffen SS Division "Galicia" along the frontlines (march-august 1944)
The paper considers peculiarities of enlistment to the 14 th Waffen SS Division «Galicia» during the retreat of the German army from Galicia in March-August 1944. Studying of recruitment specifics and individual motivations could contribute to a balanced assessment of Division’s history. Through the everyday experience of occupation, it is shown that this period, despite the presence of «real volunteers», is dominated by «forced volunteers» and those compelled by a number of personal circumstances. Thus, joining the Division as a result of forced «mobilization on the voluntary basis» is not regarded as evidence of personal patriotism but as one of the most important survival strategies in conditions of a frontline zone. It is established that failure of Ukrainian Resistance to accumulate a huge number of newcomers contributed to the increase of volunteers to the SS Division. At the local level OUN-B leaders often acted according to their own views of the situation. Therefore, while some would instruct to join the Division in case of roundups, others regarded such an action as a disgrace.