Adolf Hitler - Citation for the Award of the Name "Charlemagne" to the Waffen-SS Grenadier Brigade (French No. 1)
on 1 October 1944. Double sheet with an impressed heraldic party eagle and a printed head "Adolf Hitler". The text states in large letters, "Ich verleihe der französischen Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS den Namen 'Charlemagne'", (I award the French Waffen-SS Grenadier Brigade the name 'Charlemagne') dated "Führerhauptquartier 1.X.1944 "(Führer's Headquarters 1 October 1944). The date was added by Himmler in ink. Heinrich Himmler's "HH" in green copying pencil and Adolph Hitler's autograph signature, showing signs of illness, in ink at the end of the text. Preserved in outstanding condition with minimal flecking.
The short history of the Waffen-SS Grenadier Brigade "Charlemagne" begins in the second half of 1944 with its establishment in Wildflecken from elements of the Legion des Volontaires Francaises (LVF) (Legion of French Volunteers), the French Volunteer SS Assault Brigade, the French Militia, and volunteers from the Navy, the NSKK (Nationalsozialistische Kraftfahrkorps = National Socialist Motor Corps), the Todt Organization, and from Switzerland, Sweden, French Indo-China etc. In February 1945, it was renamed the 33rd Waffen-SS Grenadier Division "Charlemagne" and assigned to Army Group Vistula. On the way to the eastern front, they were nearly torn to pieces by a severe Soviet attack on the Hammerstein RR Station. Only about 1100 volunteers survived, and were re-formed in Mecklenberg and Wildflecken. About 400 dropped out at that time and were reassigned to an SS construction battalion. The remainder, under the command of SS-Brigadeführer Krukenberg were sent into the defense of Berlin on 23/24 April 1945 by order of the Führer. There, they destroyed a good number of Russian tanks (about 35) in only a few days and caused the Soviets severe problems with their counter attacks and strategic successes. Their last commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Henri-Joseph Fenet as well as Eugene Vaulot received the Knight's Cross for this on 29 April 1945. Only about 30 survived to become Soviet prisoners of war after General Waidling's surrender on 2 May 1945.
Of extraordinary rarity.
on 1 October 1944. Double sheet with an impressed heraldic party eagle and a printed head "Adolf Hitler". The text states in large letters, "Ich verleihe der französischen Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS den Namen 'Charlemagne'", (I award the French Waffen-SS Grenadier Brigade the name 'Charlemagne') dated "Führerhauptquartier 1.X.1944 "(Führer's Headquarters 1 October 1944). The date was added by Himmler in ink. Heinrich Himmler's "HH" in green copying pencil and Adolph Hitler's autograph signature, showing signs of illness, in ink at the end of the text. Preserved in outstanding condition with minimal flecking.
The short history of the Waffen-SS Grenadier Brigade "Charlemagne" begins in the second half of 1944 with its establishment in Wildflecken from elements of the Legion des Volontaires Francaises (LVF) (Legion of French Volunteers), the French Volunteer SS Assault Brigade, the French Militia, and volunteers from the Navy, the NSKK (Nationalsozialistische Kraftfahrkorps = National Socialist Motor Corps), the Todt Organization, and from Switzerland, Sweden, French Indo-China etc. In February 1945, it was renamed the 33rd Waffen-SS Grenadier Division "Charlemagne" and assigned to Army Group Vistula. On the way to the eastern front, they were nearly torn to pieces by a severe Soviet attack on the Hammerstein RR Station. Only about 1100 volunteers survived, and were re-formed in Mecklenberg and Wildflecken. About 400 dropped out at that time and were reassigned to an SS construction battalion. The remainder, under the command of SS-Brigadeführer Krukenberg were sent into the defense of Berlin on 23/24 April 1945 by order of the Führer. There, they destroyed a good number of Russian tanks (about 35) in only a few days and caused the Soviets severe problems with their counter attacks and strategic successes. Their last commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Henri-Joseph Fenet as well as Eugene Vaulot received the Knight's Cross for this on 29 April 1945. Only about 30 survived to become Soviet prisoners of war after General Waidling's surrender on 2 May 1945.
Of extraordinary rarity.
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