Formation of the Volunteer Legion „Wallonie“

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine – Volume X, Number 6, Whole Number 62,

Fall 1996

  

ABOVE: The Legion „Wallonie“ transport train arrives at the Regenwurm Training Camp from Brussels in August 1941. The slogan on the side reads: „Stalin We're Coming!“.

 

 

In early August 1941, the first several hundred volunteers of the Volunteer Legion „Wallonie“ left Belgium for the Regenwurm Training Camp near Meseritz, Germany after receiving a big, festive send-off in their homeland. The Walloon volunteers were to be formed into an infantry battalion. Each company had a German training officer along with some German NCO's and translators assigned to it, otherwise the command personnel were all Belgians.

 

Prominent among the first group of recruits was Leon Degrelle, the leader of the Belgian Rexist Pary and one of the most important political figures in all of Europe. He had been offered an automatic officer's position but turned it down so he could undergo basic training and serve first as an enlisted man. Degrelle was trained as a machine-gunner and his progress and conduct was exemplorary. He continually refused any „special treatment“ due to his celebrity status.

 

The Legion training program was hard but conducted at a rapid pace. The Walloon volunteers adapted readily and with enthusiasm to the tough training regimen and within two months the battalion was a reality. On 17 October 1941, the training came to and end and the Legion„Wallonie“ was designated the independent Infantry Bataillon 373. A final inspection parade was held for the Legion at Regenswurm before General of the Cavalry Frhr. von Daiwigk zu Lichtenfels. Immediately afterwards the Legion began its journey to the Eastern Front where it would serve with the German Army and Waffen-SS as a battalion, brigade and finally as a division until the bitter end.

 

ABOVE: Members of the Legion at Regenwurm. On the far left is Leon Degreiie as an ordinary private. BELOW: The first Legion CO, Hauptmann (CpL) Georges Jacobs takes the oath of allegiance on the sword of GeneraI of the Cavalry Frhr. vom Daiwigk zu Lichtenfels. Leutnant Vermeire, on the right, translates.

 

 

ABOVE: Gen. von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels and Hauptmann Jacobs inspecting the drawn-up Legion „Wallonie“ at Regenwurm on 17 October 1941. BELOW: The Legion color party marching past Gen. von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels and Hauptmann Jacobs on 17 October.

 

 

Legion „Wallonie“ unit commanders 1941-1943

 

CO: Jacobs, Pauly, Tchekhoff, Lippert. Co.: Van Damme, Lisein, Mathieu, Dum 2nd Co.; Heyvaert, Daulne, Vermeire, Closset. Co.: Tchekhoff, Thys, Ruelle, Vermeire. 4^th Co.: Dupre, Buydts, Daulne, Bosquion, Mirgain.