Kroastische FLAKhelferen (Croatian FLAK Helpers) was German title bestowed to Croatian auxiliary volunteers manning anti-aircraft weapon stations, covering static logistical targets throughout Germany (ex. transportation hubs, hydro-electric dams, assembly plants).
Given Germany's chronic manpower shortage throughout WW2, these foreign volunteers (ex. Croatian, Belgian, French, Scandinavian) in Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS services were eagerly received despite German Nazi propaganda of Aryan racial superiority.
Foreign volunteers differed on rationale for joining German cause, some joined for crusade against atheist Soviet Union (ex. Belgian volunteers), others dissolution with 1930s corruption scandals in democratic parlimentaries opted for a new Europe based on right-wing socio-economic dictatorship (ex. French volunteers).
For WW2-era Croatia, she established full independence from Yugoslavia with Axis assistance in 1941 and carved out a large Balkan region to rule from until 1945.
« photo & info link below »
http://uwemilitaria.org/6-Misc/KroatFlakhelfer
http://uwemilitaria.org/6-Misc/KroatFlakhelfer
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