FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS IN THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES 1939-45

The 33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS Charlemagne had its beginnings as a French volunteer force in the German Army, which saw action during the Battles for Moscow. It suffered heavily and was withdrawn for rest and refit. In the mean time it fought against partisans. In June of 1944 it returned back to the Eastern Front in the Central sector. These French troops fought so well against the Communist forces that the Soviets believed they were facing two divisions when in fact the French force had dwindled down to half a battalion. In September of 1944 the French fighting force was accepted into the elite units of the Waffen SS. Grouping them together with new French recruits and other Frenchman who had fought in the East, a new Waffen SS division was formed. The new division was formed in the winter of 1944/1945. Early in the new year of 1945 it was sent to Pomeriana. The heavy fighting there split the unit into three parts. One battalion sized group was evacuated into Denmark via the Baltic and made its way to outside Berlin. A second was wiped out in a Soviet artillery barrage. The third tried to make a fighting withdraw but it was also wiped out.

The group that made it to the outskirts of Berlin, broke into two parts. One that wished to fight in Berlin and one that was released from their oath of those who no longer wished to serve. About 500 went to make a last stand in Berlin and about 700 made their way back to captivity in the west. The 500 in Berlin fought valiantly knowing that all was lost. Three earned the German Knights Cross. The 700 who made their way west were reportedly asked "why they wished to wear a German uniform" by some Free French. The French Waffen SS supposidly then asked "why they wished to wear American uniforms." The French Waffen SS were then immediately shot. The French Waffen SS troops who participated in the Oradon "atrocity" in 1944 were considered "unwilling conscripts" and were thus "victims" of circumstances out of their hands. They were acquitted in a proper trial.