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    #1

    Dutch SS Formations

    Hi there,

    I have been researching Dutch Waffen-SS formations, and it can be very confusing to figure out the differences, distinctions, and pools of recuits from each one. Most are Brigades that were turned into "divisions" on paper in 1945

    I know of the main ones,
    1) 4th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Brigade Nederland
    2) 6th SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade Langemarck
    3) SS Volunteer Grenadier Brigade Landstorm Nederland

    and of course, the Dutchman in the 5th SS Panzer Division "Wiking" and 11th SS Panzer-Grenadier Division "Nordland".

    I hope the experts on this forum can help with some answers:

    1) What is the difference between the recruits from the 4th SS PzGr. Brigade and the SS Volunteer Grenadier Briagde? They were both comprised of Dutchman, right? So was their only difference in the strcuture of the unit, or were one pool of recruits more "well-suited" than others?

    2) Were there specific recruiting drives in Holland for each unit? Or was there one "Umbrella" Waffen-SS recruitment office in Holland that determined with which unit each volunteer would serve? Was it political that so many medium-sized Dutch units were created instead of one large one? How was distribution of manpower determined and justified?

    It seems to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, that each unit's creation was responsible by an indivisual Dutch Fascist that wanted "his" brigade to be the most "elite" Dutch unit in the eyes of the Germans. Otherwise, wouldn't most volunteers simply go the the 11th SS, 5th SS, or some large, singular independent Waffen-SS Dutch Unit?

    What is the difference between the main Dutch units, and why were there so many?

    It makes research very confusing, and I'd appreciate any information and insight on this topic. It is fascinating that the Waffen-SS was comprised of so many European volunteers from various nationalities and ethic groups, and this would make research and information on these units equally valuable and interesting.

    Side note: Remi Schrinjin is said to have been in both the 4th SS PzGren. Briagde "Nederland" AND the 6th SS Volunteer Sturmbridage - so which one was it?

    Thanks!
    Tags: None
    #2
    Not sure where you have been getting your information ???

    Remy Schrynen was a Fleming and served with both the Flandern Legion and the SS Sturmbrigade Langemarke both of which were Flemish units from Belgium , not Dutch.

    Although some Dutch Volunteers served with Wiking and Nordland most served with the Legion Nederland as part of 2 SS Infanterie Brigade ( Mot ) on the Leningrad Front , then in the 4 SS Panzer Grenadier Brigade 2 Nederland when it was established in 1943 after the Legion was withdrawn from the Front.

    The 4 SS Panzer Grenadier Brigade 2 Nederland went onto fight at Oranianbau m , Narva , Kurland before it was "raised" to a Division in early 1945 ( 23rd Frw Panzer Gren Div ) following it's withdrawal from Kurland.

    Comment

      #3
      Originally posted by Paul E View Post
      Not sure where you have been getting your information ???

      Remy Schrynen was a Fleming and served with both the Flandern Legion and the SS Sturmbrigade Langemarke both of which were Flemish units from Belgium , not Dutch.
      Wikipedia, of course

      That explains a a lot! And I forgot that Langemarck were Beligian, although Dutch-speaking - my bad.

      Thanks Paul.
      Last edited by vonkoenigsberg; 03-23-2013, 03:50 PM.

      Comment

        #4
        Hello Paul,

        Some more information that might address your questions. The history of the Dutch Waffen SS volunteers is a complex one and still rather a taboo here in The Netherlands. Because of this the best books describing the history of the Dutch Waffen SS formations were written by a Belgian author (Jan Vincx) and printed by a Belgian publisher. A lot of false information can be found on the internet because information is scarce. Besides this, there is a certain myth building around the foreign volunteer formations of the Waffen SS lately; the truth is - as in so many cases - less glorious.

        Generally speaken, the "true" SS men from Holland - believing in the Germanic ideal and with Feldmeyer as its most prominent supporter- would join the Westland Regiment of the Wiking Division, whereas the Dutch Volunteer Legion was driven by the Dutch National Socialist Movement (NSB) of Anton Mussert. NSB members would join this unit though there are as many exceptions as there were volunteers. There was a lot of friction between the two movements and the Germans would use that to their benefit.

        By spring 1943, the Dutch Legion was withdrawn from the front and what was left of it would be used to form the core of a new division sized unit. This unit would be part of Felix Steiner's III. Germanic SS-Panzer Corps. Even after incorporating the Dutch volunteers from the Wiking Division into this new unit, there were simply not enough volunteers to built a Division, so in the end the Germans settled for a Brigade sized formation with the rather grotesque name: 4. SS-Freiw. Panzer Grenadier Brigade "Nederland". This "Dutch" formation in fact was only made up for 40% of Dutchmen, and this figure rapidly declined as the war progressed due to losses and men being transferred. The remainder were Germans and ethnic Germans from Hungary and Roumania.

        I can only underscribe Dr. in 't Veld's conclusion in his excellent book "De SS en Nederland" about the III. Germanic SS Panzer Corps that - despite its grotesque name - it wasn't Germanic, it wasn't armoured and it was not a Corps. The same goes in a way for the "Dutch" unit of this Corps; it was not a Division, it was not Armoured and can most certainly not be called Dutch.

        The Landstorm Nederland Brigade (later upgraded to Division) was basically a territorial defence unit. Men who were too old, too young, too scared or simply not fit enough to join the fighting at the Eastern Front could join this unit. The Germans promised it would only serve to defend Dutch territory, a promise quickly broken when the Allies advanced rapidly into Belgium. Other units - like the rather infamous Wachbatallion Nordwest - were later added to built a Divison sized formation. Battle experienced dutch NCO's and officers were transferred from the Eastern Front to boost the units fighting power. Contrary to the "Nederland" Brigade, the Landstorm would be made up largely from Dutch volunteers, mostly led by German officers though.

        Hope this helps.

        Regards,
        Bert Kossen

        Comment

          #5
          Thanks Bert for the further info !!

          Comment

            #6
            Nederlanders in de Waffen-SS

            The link opens on "SS-Wachbataillon 'Nordwest' (later: SS-Wachbataillon 3)" and has other tabs to "SS Division Wiking", "Landstorm Nederland", etc.

            Too bad our "HaEn" no longer posts -- he could give you first-hand information.

            --Guy

            Comment

              #7
              The below links might be of interest too.

              Photo's taken by Dutch PK-Berichter Brantsen of the Dutch Legion:

              http://fubarmilitaria.nl/brantsen-metz/

              Mooyman at Lake Ladoga:

              http://fubarmilitaria.nl/panzerknacker-at-lake-ladoga/

              Landstorm raid on "De Hoeven" farm (February 1945):

              http://fubarmilitaria.nl/hello-you-o...ary-22nd-1945/

              Regards,
              Bert

              Comment

                #8
                Again many thanks Bert , great links i hadn't seen this site or many of the photos before

                regards

                Paul

                Comment

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