Flemish
Legion Military and Feldpost History
Freiwilligen
Legion Flandern
Belgium is a divided country, with two different social classes.
One class, Flemish, is racially and linguistically Germanic. The
other class, Wallonien, is French speaking and racially mixed
Celtic and Roman origin. Both are united by their strong catholic
faith. The Flemings, like the Wallonies, had their own pro-Nazi
parties.
In May 1940, the Lowlands were invaded by the Germans.
Immediately recruiting centers were set up in the occupied countries.
The response was favorable, two SS regiments "Westland" and "Nordland"
were created.
These regiments contained Germanic volunteers but
with 50% German composition. The "Westland" and "Nordland" Regiments
were incorporated into the SS "Wiking" Division. The first regiment
composed in it´s entirely of Dutch, Dane and Flemish personnel
was designated as the "6. SS Nordwest Regiment." This 600 men
regiment was formed in June 1941, and comprised of three companies.
The members of the Nordwest Regiment were still in training at
Hamburg-Langehorn, when Germany invaded Russia.
There was a widespread
desire among the volunteers to participate actively in the campaign.
Especially these men who were members of pro-Nazi Parties and
wanted their political affiliation represented in the Eastern
Front. Shortly afterwards a Flemish Legion was announced and immediately
Flemish personnel from the Nordwest Regiment were transfer into
the new Legion.
It was deemed necessary for the legion to receive
proper SS combat training. On July 14, the three Flemish companies
were shipped to the east by rail to Poland. While in Radom training
camp, the Flemish formation was upgraded to the "SS Infantry Battalion Flandern." The 1st, 6th and 8th companies from the Nordwest were
converted to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies of the Legion. In
early August a draft of 405 young Flemings enlisted into the Legion
along with the other volunteers who were quartered at Grafenwohr,
Bavaria. These troops were used to form a fourth unit. By the
end of August there were 875 Flemings in the Legion not taking
into account the 696 Flemings already in service with the "WIKING"
Division.
Flemish personnel wore Waffen-SS uniforms. A three legged
sun-wheel insignia was worn on the right collar-patch. The Flemish
wore an arm-shield on their left sleeve showing the national crest,
a black lion on a gold field. A cuff title bearing the words "Legioen
Vlaanderen" was issued and worn on their lower left sleeve.
Flemish Legion
Insignia
The battalion "Flandern" received orders transfering it to the Heidelager
training camp near Debica, Poland. At the Debica SS camp, the
legionnaires were soon join by the rest of the Flemish personnel.
The Flemish Legion was joined with the Dutch Legion for combat
training. On early September, the Flemish Battalion left for the
SS Camp at Arys in East Prussia.
On 24 September the SS headquarters
in Berlin officially bestowed the title "SS Freiwilligen Legion Flandern." On 6 November the Legion was deemed ready for service
and was placed under the command of a German Officer Michael Lippert.
The Legion was sent to Novgorod where it was engaged in heavy
defensive fighting. The Legion was subordinated to the 2nd SS
(motorized) Infantry-Brigade.
The 2nd SS Brigade was an international
unit composed of Dutch, Norwegians and Latvians.
The Legion was
then moved to the northern front of Leningrad where it remained
for six months of constant fighting. The Legion fought with distinction
on the Volkhov Front, there the commander was severely wounded.
In June 1942 the Legion was pulled out of the Russian front and
sent home for rest and recuperation. It returned to action in
August 1942 and remained there until February 1943. It was then
withdrawn from the battlefront in May 1943 and sent to the training
camp at Bohemia.
Flemish Legion
Feldpost
Very rare and interesting feldpost cover mailed in April 1943 by Flemish female volunteer who was by the railroad station in Berlin Zehlendorf and shows postal cancel from Berlin-Lichtenberg railroad station. Cover has been sent to family member in Berchem, a southern district of the municipality and city of Antwerp It has been censored and has sealing tape. The sender could be the Flemish artist Mya Struyf probably doing propaganda service for the Flemish Legion or Germans.
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6.
SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade Langemarck
Flemish Legion
Feldpost
On 20 April 1942, former members of the "4. SS Infanterie Standarte
Totenkopf" were awarded the honorary title of "Langemarck." Because
of the constant battles during the winter of 1941/1942, only 180
men out of 3000 remained! By the end of May 1943, the decimated
unit was rebuilt from German and Flemish volunteers. Members from
the Flemish Legion who were on training in Debica, (Poland) were
incorporated into the newly formed Langemarck Brigade.
The Flemish
Assault Brigade was established on 31 May as the "6. SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade Langemarck" (SS Volunteer Assault Brigade LANGEMARCK).
By end of July personnel was sent to a spacious camp at Milovice,
Bohemia,. In summer of 1943, this brigade had 2,022 men. The Flemish
Assault Brigade was deployed to Army Group South, under the command
of SS-Obersturmbanführer Konrad Schellong.
By 26 December 1943,
the brigade was sent to the front in Chudniv, Ukraine. In early
1944, the brigade took heavy losses while fighting heroically
in Yampil, South Ukraine. By early March the brigade´s strength
stood at 400 men, it was sent backed to Bohemia for rest and refit.
The brigade was regrouped with 1731 men. The I Battalion of the
Langemarck Brigade was sent to northern Russia where in July it
took part in the celebrated Battle of the European SS at Narva,
Estonia. Again decimated from the battlefield the remaining survivors
were shipped to Swinemunde, Hammerstein for rest and recuperation
in September 1944.
Flemish Propaganda
Postcard
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27.
Freiwilligen Grenadier Division der SS Langemarck
By
late September 1944 most of Belgium had been liberated. Many Flemish
collaborators accompanied the retreating Germans. These collaborators
now found themselves deprived of their citizenship and unemployed in
Germany. On 30 October 1944, the 6th Brigade was sent to Luneburger Heath,
Germany. The physically fit were drafted into the new designated Waffen-SS
division, the "27. Freiwilligen-Grenadier Division der SS Langemarck."
The new division that consisted of the original 3000 men was under strength
but was augmented by incorporating former Flemish Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine,
NSKK and Organization Todt personnel, totaling 15,000 men.
This division
was originally placed under SS-Ostubf. Konrad Schellog who oversaw the Division's
development but he was soon replaced by Standartenführer Thomas Muller, who
had temporarily commanded the 17th SS Pz-Gren Div. "Gotz von Berlichingen."
Because of the collapsing eastern front a special Battle-Group was assembled
near Luneburger Heath on the 24 December 1944. The Battle-Group, which was
under the command of Ostufbaf. Schellong consisted of the following: I Battalion
of SS Rgt 66, I Batalion of SS Rgt 67 and SS Anti-tank Detachment 27. Part of
the Divisional Staff was also attached to the group. By early February 1945 a
2000 men battlegroup was in the Pomerania defensive front where it was virtually
annihilated in the closing months of the war. They continued fighting defensive
actions around the Stettin region. After pulling out of Stettin the Battle-Group
was rebuilt near the villages of Brussow and Retzin. Replacements came from the
divisional training camp, the bulk of SS Rgt 68 plus the original three battalions
formed a 4000 men Battle-Group. The refitted Battle-Group Schellong entered the
frontlines along the west bank of the northern Oder River. After constant defensive
battles some remnants of the division and battle-group ended at Macklenburg
surrendering to the Russians in May 1945. The Flemish volunteers wore the cuff band
"LANGEMARCK." In addition, they also wore on their left shoulder the German made
cloth shield showing a black lion on a yellow background.
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Flemish
Postal History
Postal
History: During late May 1941, free postal privileges for mail
weighing up to 250gms, were given to Belgian nationals while serving
in the German armed forces. A fee of 3 Francs was charged in Belgium
for mail weighing 250 to 1000gms. A 20Rpf for mail posted by Germans
nationals.
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Feldpost
numbers assigned to the Flemish Legion
From
July 1941 to April 1943, Flemish personnel serving in the Waffen-SS
Legion received following Feldpost unit numbers:
Reserve Staff-------------- 44853A
1st.
Rifle Co. -------------- 44853B
2nd.
Rifle Co.-------------- 44853C
3rd.
Heavy Inf. Co.------- 44853D
4th.
Heavy Mortar Co.-- 44853E
5th.
Anti-tank Co.---------- 44853F
On
May 31, 1943, the Flemish Legion was reformed as "6th SS Volunteer
Assault Brigade Langemarck." New Feldpost numbers were assigned
as follows:
Brigade
Staff------------------- 44853
1st.
Btl. (1-4 Co.)--------------------- 34695A-D
2nd.
Btl. (5-8 Co.)-------------------- 17662A-D
Administrative
Company----- 37892
8.8cm.
Anti-aircraft Battery-- 45214
2.2cm
Anti-aircraft Battery-- 45840
Field
Reserve Co.------------- 56414
Assault-gun
Battery 56.----- 40035
Anti-tank
Company------------ 21836
Transport
Column-------------- 32401
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6th SS
Assault Brigade Langemarck Feldpost
Rare "Luftfeldpost" cover
mailed by a member in the 6th SS Assault Brigade Langemarck. The feldpost cancel although
not clear shows the postal cancel dated July 1943 and it was mailed to Gent, Flanders.
In addition, it shows the unit seal of the SS-Brigade Staff personnel.
The reverse shows the senders rank and FPN 44853E (4th Heavy Mortar Co.). The cover
was censored as shown by the sealing tape and red censor markings.
By the end of May 1943, the decimated unit was being rebuilt with German and Flemish
volunteers. Members from the Flemish Legion who were already in training in Debica, (Poland)
were incorporated into the newly formed Langemarck Brigade, which remained there until
late summer of 1943 where it was transfered to the spacious camp in Milovice, Bohemia.
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On
October 1944, the 6th SS Brigade was reformed as "27th SS Volunteer
Infantry Division." New Feldpost numbers were assigned as follows:
Divisional
Staff--------------------------------- 44853
Military
Police Troops and Staff----------- 64116
SS
Volunteer Infantry Regiment 66
Regimental
Staff-------------------------------- 04206
1st.
Btl. (1-4 Co.)------------------------------------- 64485A-D
2nd.
Btl. (5-8 Co.)------------------------------------ 17662A-D
SS
Administrated Co.-------------------------- 37892
SS
Volunteer Infantry Regiment 67:
Regimental
Staff----------------------------------- 05294
1st.
Btl. (1-4 Co.)---------------------------------------- 34695A-D
2nd.
Btl. (5-8 Co.)--------------------------------------- 07073A-D
Regimental
Staff----------------------------------- 64712
1st.
Btl. (1-4 Co.)---------------------------------------- 04336A-D
2nd.
Btl. (5-8 Co.)--------------------------------------- 65078A-D
SS
Rapid-fire Co. 27------------------------------- 05150
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Rare Flemish Legion
feldpost cover addressed to FPN 44853C, assigned to the 2nd Rifle Co. Propaganda labels
were purchased by family members and used on German military mail.
The 2nd Co.
was referred as the CIRCUS BREYMANN, after Helmet Breymann, Company commander.
There is some information regarding the addressee SS-Sturmmann Jef Verleysen.
In 1941, he was in Arys east-Pommerania for training. He is also listed in an
extensive list of men that served in the 2nd Co. of the Langemarck Brigade till
the end of 1945.
SS
Artillery Regiment 37:
Regimental
Staff----------------------------------- 05814
1st.
Battalion (1-3 Battr.)------------------------- 07534
2nd.
Battalion (4-5 Battr.)------------------------ 06939
3rd.
Battalion (7-8 Battr.)------------------------ 66124
4th.
Battalion (10-11 Battr.)--------------------- 07944
SS
Artillery Regiment 27:
Staff
Service Regiment 27. --------------------- 66752
Service
Regiment Unit--------------------------- 32401
SS
Military Police Troop 27.------------------- 64116
SS
Veterinary Co. 27.---------------------------- 06263
SS
Administrated Co. 27. ----------------------- 06588
SS
Engineer Battalion 27. ---------------------- 66467
SS
8.8cm. Anti-aircraft Battery --------------- 45214
SS
2.2cm Anti-aircraft Battery ---------------- 45840
SS
Anti-tank Co. 27. ----------------------------- 21836
SS
Signals Unit 27. ------------------------------- 44853
SS
Anti-tank Unit 27.----------------------------- 21836
SS
Field Reserve Battalion 27. ---------------- 65547
SS
Supply Regiment 27.------------------------- 66752
SS
Medical Co. & Ambulance Platoon------- 65902
SS
Field Postoffice 27.---------------------------- 66997
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Flemish Legion
Feldpost
Interesting
Flemish Legion SS-Feldpost cover that was mailed to FPN 44853E (4th Heavy Mortar Co.),
however, it was returned as indicated by the purple marking.
This cover was sent to SS-Unterscharführer Rudolf Eberding who was the oldest of three
brothers who joined the Waffen-SS. Eberding was originaly a member of the
SS-Freiwilligen-Standarte "Nordwest."
He was decorated with the Black Wound Badge and the 2nd class Iron Cross.
Rudolf Eberding was killed in action on the 25 of march 1943 near Krassny Bor,
where numerous Flemish and Spanish Volunteers feld in action.
The cover has a hand written annotation indicating "Died for the fatherland."
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