RONA
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Soldiers_of_RONA.jpg
Russian National Liberation Army (Russian:Русская Освободительная Народная Армия and abbreviated as РОНА, also known as Kaminski's Brigade, Russian: Бригада Каминского) - was a name given to a group of volunteer forces organized by Russian engineer Bronislaw Kaminski in the Russian region of Bryansk during the Second World War, while under Nazi German occupation. The unit had up to 10,000 men, volunteers and those recruited via draft, who fought against Soviet partisans and controlled a region called the "Lokot Republic" under the suzerainty of Nazi Germany.
The unit was later converted into a "Russian SS unit" by the German command, part of which participated in the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Its leader, now SS General Kaminski, was executed by the Gestapo, which blamed him for permitting his men to commit atrocities in Warsaw. Kaminski's men were given a fabricated story, claiming that he was killed by Polish partisans. Responding to the initial waves of disbelief, the Gestapo ditched Kaminski's car, shot it up with a machine gun, and smeared it with goose blood, providing that as evidence.
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RONA is frequently confused with ROA, a different formation of Russian volunteers fighting in alliance with Nazi Germany.
The Patch and Anthem of the RONA
We shall not be slaves!
To the fight with the enemy we are ready day and night.
Through clouds and flames our people's flag
we shall with a strong hand carry.
Through an open and grief stricken road
in the midst of smoke and battery fire
in action and battle we go with prayer
to the freedom of our Russia!
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Who believes, who dares, who's blood is enflamed
who has not forgotten oppression and shame
those are tied together with great revenge
for the ashes of our family's graves.
With pain we have paid for that which we loved
for the torturings of our fathers and children
We have not forgiven them, nor forgotten the shame
of those days suffocated with suffering.
In tight columns march our legions
to fight, for a great revenge
The millions carry on our bright flags
the freedom and honor of our people.
Through an open and grief stricken road
in the midst of smoke and battery fire
in action and battle we go with prayer
to the freedom of our Russia!