Hello,
I originally posted this photo in the SS-Uniform forum and thought in bringing it here.
French SS Volunteer Press Photo: Dated August 31, 1944, with back inscription in German indicating “Frenchmen on the Eastern Front.”
Never before seen in a post-war published book, a press photo showing two French SS men dug in an underground trench. The guy manning the machine-gun looks like Henri Fenet. He would later fight defending Berlin earning him the Knight Cross. In the background you can see another trench with some soldiers, one of them is wearing what seems to be a black fur cap. Notice the clear image of the soldier wearing a German issued “French SS” shield attached on the left sleeve of his SS uniform. The helmets are void of any insignia they seem well worn or smother with mud and dirt.
On 30 June 1944, it was designated as the “8. Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade Frankreich.” In July 1944, the Sturmbrigade was ordered to form an emergency battle group. The 1st battalion under the command of SS-Haupsturmfuhrer Pierre Cance was selected for the Eastern Front. Henri Fenet was in charged of the 1st Company.
In early August the 1st battalion was sent to reinforce the battle group of the “18th SS Division HORST WESSEL.” This division was engaged at Mielec in the bend of the Vistula Front. In that battle the French lost 7 Officers and 130 men killed with 661 wounded. They were pulled out of the frontline and sent to regroup at Schwarnegast near Danzig.”
Somebody indicated that this photo has already been published? I would like to know the book that shows this image. I have search most of the Foreign volunteer legion books and have yet to see this press photo? Has anybody sen it?
Kind regards
Rene
http://axis101.bizland.com
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