Légion des Voluntaires Français

After the defeat and occupation of France in May 1940, an armistice was declared in June between the French and German governments. France was split into two zones. The northern industrial region of France remained occupied and placed under German administration. In the southern region of France, a collaborationist government had established itself in Vichy.
It was placed under the leadership of WWI military veteran hero, Marshal Philippe Petain.
German forces occupied southern France in November 1942.

When Germany invaded Russia in June 1941 it caused great excitement among the collaborating political parties and para-military home based formations. They now found a new unity in their desire to participate in the Russian campaign. The first recruiting center was opened at 12 rue Auber, Paris, additional recruiting centers were placed all over France. On 18 July 1941, the "Légion des Voluntaires Français contre le Bolshevisme (LVF)" was established.

Initially the Vichy Government had enacted a law that forbade Frenchmen from enlisting into "foreign armies" to prevent them from joining with the Free French forces of exiled General Charles de Gaulle. Since the LVF was a private affair, Marshal Petain amended the law so that no objection would be raised for Frenchmen enlisting into the LVF. These volunteers were placed in the Borgnis-Desbordes barracks at Versailles.

French Legion Feldpost

Early legion cover mailed by a volunteer FPN 03865A (1st Btl/1st Co) of the newly formed 638th Infantry Regiment, which was assigned to the German 7th Infantry Division on the Russian Front. Most early covers were required by German postal regulations a written annotation "Durch Deustche Feldpost" (via German military mail).

Notice the senders rank Sargent Molin and FPN 03865A. The cover shows sealing tape and censorship markings.

A total of 5800 Frenchmen were selected into the LVF. They wore standard German army uniforms and had the French national arm shield inscribed "FRANCE" placed on their right sleeve. A Colonel Roger Labonne assumed command of the legion.
On 4 September the first draft of volunteers of 828 officers and men left to the "Truppenuebungsplatz Deba" (troop excercise area Deba), located in Poland. On 20 September the second Legion contingent of 896 men was sent to the Deba troop training facilities.

By October 1941, the LVF was up to a strength of two battalions with 181 Officers and 2271 other ranks with a liaison staff of 35 Germans. The LVF was registered as "638. Infanterie Regiment" of the German Army.

By the end of October both battalions proceeded by rail to Smolensk and then by truck and on foot towards the front line near Moscow. The LVF joined the German 7th Infantry Division near Golokovo. In early December a 3rd battalion of 1400 other recruits of the LVF was sent to Deba troop training facilities.

In February 1942, the 1st and 2nd battalions of the LVF were caught up in the Soviet winter counter-offensive. During this winter offensive, the 2nd battalion was over-run by Soviet forces near Djunovo and virtually annihilated.
The LVF lost half of its strength either through enemy action or by frostbite. In March 1942 Colonel Labonne was recalled to Paris and relieved of his command.

The LVF was pulled out of the front line and for 18 months it operated as two separate battalions. The first under the command of Major Lacroix and the third under Major Demessine (the 2nd btl. was destroyed in the winter fighting before Moscow). During the summer of 1942, the 1st btl. subordinated to the 186th German Security Division was deployed in anti-partisan activities near Smolensk. The 3rd btl. was in the southwestern part of Smolensk and fought anti-partisans near Volost where it suffered heavy casualties.

French Tricolore Legion

Interesting propaganda postcard commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the LVF.
These men were members of the "Legion Tricolore" and wore French uniforms.
The men standing in formation belong to the 1st Rgt. of the LVF. One of the legionnaires is holding the LVF flag while Major Bridoux is saluting.

By the end of December 1942, the "Legion Tricolore" was disbanded at German request.

638th Infantry Regiment

In spring 1942, the regiment was reorganized as follows:

By the end of December 1942, the Legion Tricolore was disbanded at German request. Its personnel were allowed to transfer to the LVF. These transfers resulted in a reorganization of the LVF in December 1943.

In October 1943 the Legion artillery detachment was disbanded. A 4th Infantry Battalion was formed from excess personnel and was reformed as the French Grenadier Regiment 638.

Grenadier Regiment 638

In January 1944, the LVF was sent to the Russian front and was engaged in anti-partisan operations. A reconstituted 2nd battalion was added, and by the end of the year the LVF was reunited as a whole regiment.
In April 1944, a 4th battalion was added into the regiment from excess personnel of the disbanded LVF artillery detachment. The formation was designated as the "Grenadier Regiment 638." and was placed under the command of Colonel Edgar Puaud, who was promoted by the Vichy government to the rank of brigadier-general.

In June 1944, after the collapse of the German 9th Army, the regiment found itself in the path of a major Russian counter-offensive. To stem the Soviet offensive, a battalion of 400 Frenchmen under the command of Major Bridoux, and various adhoc German units formed a "Kampfgruppe" (Battlegroup) near Bobr, Ukraine. This battlegroup fought so successful that it enabled much of the 9th Army to break out of a Soviet encirclement in Bobruysk. A Russian official dispatch spoke of "two French Divisions," a compliment for a battalion of Frenchmen!

Withdrawn from the front, the regiment was re-grouped at Greifenberg in East Prussia. In September 1944, the LVF ceased to exist. It found itself absorbed into the Waffen-SS.

Interesting LVF feldpost mailed by Captain Poisson FPN 03865 1st battalion. From July 42 till December 43, the 1st battalion (Commandant Lacroix, Captain Poisson, Commandant Simoni) is engaged at Borissov, Smolensk, Sirsch, Kotovo where 150 Legionnaires resist to 1,000 Soviet partisans on May 22, 43, and Murovo.

Reverse shows senders name and FPN. Cover has been censored.

8. Sturmbrigade Frankreich

By the 1 September 1944 the LVF was disbanded and 1200 of its members volunteered for service with the "8. Sturmbrigade Frankreich" of the Waffen-SS. On 18 July 1944 the "French SS Volunteer Assault Brigade" was pronounced combat-ready. The following Feldpost numbers were assigned:

33. Waffen-Grenadier der SS Division Charlemagne

In September 1944 the assault brigade and the remaining members of LVF were reorganized to form the French "33. Waffen-Grenadier der SS Division Charlemagne." This division was supplemented by French volunteers from the German Navy. The members of this division, which was actually only a brigade in strength, came from the following sources:

Ex-members of SS Assault Brigade 1000
Ex-members of the LVF 1200
Ex-members of the Milice 2500
Ex-members of transport Corps (NSKK) 2000
Ex-Naval volunteers 640
Total 7340