The thesis examines the case of the Waffen SS “Galicia” (a unit of the Waffen SS consisting of ethnic Ukrainian men) and analyses the process of their post-war civilianisation after 1945, when they surrendered to the British authorities in Austria, and until their re-location from the UK to Canada in the 1950s. The thesis also offers a critical analysis of the creation, development, and influence of the narratives concerning the Division, starting with the formation of the “Galicia” and continuing to the present day. The thesis argues that the current polarization of historiography on the “Galicia” Division (i.e. regarding them as either freedom fighters or collaborators) is unhelpful in attempting to produce a balanced account of the Division‟s post-war history and to explain the controversy surrounding its members‟ civilianisation. The thesis does not attempt to justify or condemn the Division‟s actions. Through the analysis of archival material and using a micro-historical approach it traces and analyses the combination of factors which enabled eight thousand Ukrainians who fought in the ranks of the German Army to be moved to the UK and be allowed to settle in the West as civilians.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:625659 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Khromeychuk, O. |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1331889/ |
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