Turkic soldiers of the Turkestan Legion in Tionville, France, October-November 1943. The Turkestan Legion was the generic name for the military units composed of Turkmens, Uzbeks and Kazakhs in German Army, most of these soldiers were Red Army POW's or volunteers. The Turkestan Legion was mobilized in May 1942, originally consisting of only one battalion but expanding to 16 battalions in 1943. The battalions of the Turkestan Legion formed part of the 162nd Turkistan Infantry Division, which was formed in May 1943. Under the Wehrmacht's command, these units were mobilized exclusively on the Western Front, isolating them from the Red Army, on the war fronts of France, Italy and Yugoslavia. The division saw much action in Axis-occupied Yugoslavia and Italy, fighting against the Italian and Yugoslav resistance movements. After the war, much of these soldiers were repatriated into Russia, where they would face prison terms from the Soviet Government for having collaborated with the Germans.