*In many of the pictures you'll notice the Cossacks with a peculiar sword. This special kind of sword is called a 'shashka'. It originated among the mountain tribes of the Caucasus in the 12th century. Below is a reproduction showing a shashka with an eagle and swastika addition. It is a long weapon, boasting a little over three feet in length.]

[Above: The Cossacks were masters of showmanship, both on horseback and foot.]

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[Above: Cossacks riding across the frozen steppes of Russia...]

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[Above: Cossack volunteers under the flag of the Death's Head. They were well-known to be among the best horsemen in the world.]

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[Above: What can I say? Truly awesome!]

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[Above: Check out the strange and interesting flag to the left... 1942/1943]

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[Above: A horse drawn funeral wagon procession.]

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[Above: An old colorized photo]

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[Above: Note that these two Cossack volunteers are standing on top of their horses!]

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[Above: Cossacks captured by the British in Austria. Note the female nurse.]

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[Above: Cossack female veternarian volunteer inspecting a horse.]

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[Above: A Cossack female volunteer with a signal corps arm insignia.]

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[Above: Cossack men enjoying a lighter moment.]

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[Above: This is a Siberian Cossack. His hat is called a 'papachka', a hat favored by the Siberian Cossacks.]

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[Above: Wow, he is so young! The terrible war touched everyone, of every age. This boy was a mascot of a unit.]

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[Above: Once again this boy was also probably a mascot of a unit.]

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[Above: Now that's a hat!]

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[Above: Another cool looking hat.]

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[Above: This is a Kalmyk volunteer. The Kalmyks were nomadic Mongols from Central Asia.]

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[Above: Wow, very interesting hat!]