Biographies of foreign volunteers

[Phil Nix]

Sverre Riisnaes appears in SS DAL for November 1944 as SS Standartenführer (9.11.1944) SS Nr 435119 Born 6.11.1897 Beim SS Oa Nord
Phil Nix

[Phil Nix]

I found some postings on Apollot on this forum already but was surprised that he was not mentioned in Schneiders book and also failes on a few websites on RK holders. Any idea what cuased this?
Is Apollot mentioned in Kretschmer's Ritterkreuzträger der Waffen-SS?

Yes page 929
Phil Nix

[Daniel Laurent]

33 SS Charlemagne-Division KC-Holders

Hauptsturmführer Henri Joseph Fenet,
Born: 11 July 1919 in Ceyzeriat, Department Ain, France.
Died: 14 September 2002 in his apartment, Paris.
Promotions:
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer der SS: Mar. 1945
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS: 20. Mar. 1944
Lieutenant (French Army): 1940
Career:
Studied literature at the Sorbonne, Paris: ____ - 1939. French Army service: Sep. 1939 - 1940 (involved in fighting against German Army, May/Jun. 1940 (twice wounded). In German captivity: ca. Jun. 1940 - 29. Nov 1942. Joined “Milice Française” (the collaborationist French militia under Joseph Darnand): ca. Dec. 1942. Volunteered for service in the Waffen-SS: Oct. 1943. Attended SS-Junkerschule "Bad Tölz" (abbreviated training course): Jan. 1944 - Mar. 1944 (commissioned, granted rank of Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS to match his French Army rank of Lieutenant). Führer of 3.Kompanie / 8.SS-Sturmbrigade “Frankreich”: Mar. 1944 - (sent with his unit, along with the reinforced I. Btl./ "Frankreich", to Galicia in Jul. 1944 where it was heavily engaged in the Carpathians and in the basin of the Vistula River during Aug. 1944; wounded in action during these battles). Sent with his 3.Kompanie to SS-Truppenübungsplatz Konitz (Pommern) to be absorbed into the new Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1)(later the 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Charlemagne”), then to SS-Truppenübungsplatz Wildflecken (near Fulda) where he assumed command of I.Bataillon / SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment 57 of “Charlemagne”: Sep. 1944 -. Engaged as Führer of I.Bataillon / SS-Freiw.Gren.Rgt. 57 on Pommern front against Soviet Army advance: Feb./Mar. 1945 (with disintegration of the surrounded French SS Division, Fenet was able to retreat intact to the German lines; received promotion to Waffen-Hauptsturmführer der SS for this accomplishment). Assigned as Führer of a volunteer Sturmbataillon (attached to the SS Regiment formed from remnants of “Charlemagne”, which was further subordinated to 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Nordland”) in Berlin (engaged in a terrific struggle against the Soviet forces; only about 36 of Fenet’s men survived of an original strength of 300): 24. Apr. 1945 - 2. May 1945.
Postwar Confinement:
Badly wounded during the battle for Berlin, Fenet was first hospitalized then held in Soviet and later French POW camps and prisons. Sentenced by a French court to 40 years' imprisonment but released in 1949.
Decorations & Awards:
Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 29 Apr. 1945 as SS-Hauptsturmführer, Kommandeur of SS-Sturmbataillon der 33. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1).
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse: Mar. 1945
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse: 22. Aug. 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz: 1944
Croix de Guerre (France): 1940

Untersharfuhrer Eugene Vaulot,
Born: 1 Jun 1923 in Paris.
Killed in Action: 2 May 1945 in Berlin.
Promotions:
Waffen-Unterscharführer der SS:
Obergefreiter:
Career:
Member of Inf.Rgt. 638 of 7.Inf.Div.: 1941 - 1943. Gruppenführer (squad leader) in 33.SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1): (29. Apr. 1945) - 2. May 1945
Decorations & Awards:
Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 29. Apr. 1945 as Gruppenführer in 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1), Kampfraum Groß Berlin (presented by SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke in the Führerbunker of the Reichskanzlei)
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz
Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42

Obersturmführer Wilhelm Weber
Head of the Divisionskampfschule Charlemagne.
The sole German National of the list.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 29. Apr. 1945 as Obersturmführer in 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1), Kampfraum Groß Berlin (presented by SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Mohnke in the Führerbunker of the Reichskanzlei)
Panzervernichtungsabzeichenlist, holder of the Tank Destruction Badge

Obersharführer Francois Appolot
Sergeant-Chef in the French 28th Regiment de Forteresse: (June 1940).
Service with the Kriegsmarine, Schiffstammabteilung 28 (SStA 28): ____ - May 1944.
Assigned as NCO to 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1): May 1944 - May 1945.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 29. Apr. 1945 as Waffen-Oberscharführer der SS, Zugführer in the Divisionskampfschule der 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1)
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Mr. Apollot was still living in France as of March 1997.

[Daniel Laurent]

Some others:

PUAUD, Edgar
(1889 - 1945)
Waffen-Oberführer der SS / Général de Brigade:
Born 29. Oct. 1889 in France
Killed in Action: 5. Mar. 1945 by artillery barrage as he attempted to break out of Köslin / Pommern.
Promotions:
Waffen-Oberführer der SS: Aug. 1944
Général de Brigade: ca. 1943
Oberst: Jun. 1943
Lieutenant-Colonel: Jul. 1942
Chef de Bataillon (Major): 1939
Capitaine:
Lieutenant:
Sous-Lieutenant:
Career:
Attended and graduated from the French Military Academy St. Cyr:. Service with French Foreign Legion in Morocco and Syria. Commander of foreign volunteers, military camp Septford: 1939 - 1940. Commander of IIIrd Batallion, 23rd Infantry Regiment of the Vichy French Army: 1940 - Jul. 1942. Batallion commander in the Legion des Volontaires Français Contre le Bolchevisme (L.V.F.; redesignated as I. and III.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 638, Oct. 1941: 1942. Chief of Staff, Legion Tricolore: Jun. 1942 - mid-1943. Kommandeur of the L.V.F.: mid-1943 - summer 1944. Kommandeur of Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1)(expanded to divisional size and retitled 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" on 10. Feb. 1945): 10. Aug. 1944 - 5. Mar. 1945.
Decorations & Awards:
Croix de Guerre avec Palm
Legion d'Honneur

KREIS, Henri
(1923 - 1990)
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS:
Born: 2. February 1923 in France
Died: 9. December 1990.
Promotions:
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS:
Career:
Enlisted in Waffen-SS: September 1943. Attended SS-Junkerschule “Bad Tölz": 1943 - 1944. Führer of Panzerjäger Zug/ SS-Sturmbrigade "Frankreich": 1944 (engaged with German Army units in defense of Radomsyl in Galica). Wounded in action, hospitalized, then attended special course for French Waffen-SS officers at Neweklau near Prague: ____ - 1945. Kompanieführer in Ersatz-Bataillon / 33.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Charlemagne” (französische Nr. 1): Mar. 1945 -
Decorations & Awards:
1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz
Notes:
After the war, lived under the pseudonym “Henri Kreutzer”.

Still left with Cance, Bassompierre and many others if you are interested.
Regards
Daniel

[Dan E. Moe]

Very interesting! Would love to see some more!

[Requin Marteau]

Bonsoir,

Sorry bio in French

WA OFHR der SS Edgar PUAUD

Né à la Roche sur Yon le 29 octobre 1889, orphelin, intègre l’école de Saint-Maixent en 1907 en sort Sergent, sert au 133e RI, Aspirant (1914), dirige la Cie de Mitrailleuses/407e RI, Sous-Lieutenant (1914) dans une unité de chasseurs alpins dans le Jura, blessé le 28 septembre 1915, muté dans l’infanterie, Capitaine (1918), affecté au 13e Btn Chasseur Mitrailleurs/Armée du Rhin, quitte l’armée en 1920, commerciale dans la région de Niort, s’engage dans la Légion Etrangère, Capitaine, sert au Maroc en 1926, Syrie, Liban et Indochine, Chef de Bataillon (1939), 21 campagnes, 10 citations, 4 blessures, chargé de diriger un camp de volontaires étrangers engagés pour la durée de la guerre et cantonné à Septfonds, dans le Tarn et Garonne (1939-1940), après l’armistice, il parviendra à soustraire ses hommes aux investigations allemandes et passe pour très germanophobe, commande le IIIe/23e RI à Montauban (1940-juillet 1942), Lieutenant-Colonel (juillet 1942), dirige le 23e RI, Chef d’état-major de la Légion Tricolore (juin-28 décembre 1942), commande le dépôt de Guéret, s’engage dans la LVF en juin 1943, Colonel (juin 1943), commande l’IR 638 (1er octobre 1943-10 aout 1944), Général de Brigade (14 avril 1944), combat à Bohr, en juin 1944, organise la mutation dans la Waffen SS, WA STAF d. SS (1er septembre 1944), WA OFHR d. SS (1945), commande à Wildflecken la Charlemagne, blessé à la jambe en Poméranie, blessé lors de la tentative pour briser l’encerclement de Korlin, déposé à Greifenberg, il devait disparaître dans des conditions mystérieuses le 6 mars 1945, prés de Belgrad.
PUAUD ne serait pas mort sur le front, il s’en serait sorti et serait devenu, après la guerre, l’un des chefs du Service de sûreté militaire de l’URSS. Le journaliste BRADLEY l’aurait rencontré à Berlin au café Olympia, en zone d’occupation soviétique, en compagnie de son adjoint BORMOST. Le journal de Genève aurait confirmé l’information.

- Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 avec palme et 6 étoiles (9 aout 1914),
- Croix du Combattant,
- Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur,
- Médaille Commémorative 1914-1918,
- Médaille Interalliée de la Victoire,
- Chevalier des Palmes Académiques,
- Officier de la Légion d’Honneur (1928),
- Commandeur de l'Etoile Noire du Bénin,
- Croix de Guerre TOE avec palme et 2 étoiles,
- KVK-II mit Schwertern (janvier 1944),
- EK-II,
- EK-I,
- Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur (4 avril 1944),
- Croix de Guerre Légionnaire avec palme.

PS : titulaire de 19 décorations françaises et coloniales.

Thierry

[Requin Marteau]

Bonsoir,

(Bio in French)

SS OSTUBAF Christian Frederik von SCHALBURG

Né le 15 avril 1906 à Smiernogorsk, entre à la Russische Offizier Feldakademie, s’enfuit au Danemark pendant la révolution russe de 1917, commence des études de médecine en 1923, rejoint la Kongelige Livgarden le 11 janvier 1925, stationné à Tonder, envoyé à la Danish Offizierakademie, Lojtnant (1927), sert à Slagelse, affecté au I./3. Rgt Kongelige Livgarden jusqu’en 1934, adhère au DNSAP en 1930, se marie avec Helga Frederikke Herzogin von BÜLOW, 1 fils, Kaptajnlojtnant (1936), Chef NS Ungdom en 1939, sert en Finlande le 2 janvier 1940 dans le Danmark Btn, rejoint la Wiking, dirige le Freikorps Danmark (1er mars-2 juin 1942), tué le 2 juin 1942 à Demjansk, enterré à Biakowo, reçoit des funérailles nationale à Copenhague le 18 juin 1942.

- Svenska Kungliga Svärdsorden Riddare 2. kl (1935),
- Orden von d. Weissen Rose Finnlands Ritterkreuz 2.kl (1940),
- Finnische Orden des Freiheitskreuz 4. kl mit Schwertern,
- Goldenes DNSAP Ehrenzeichen,
- Finnishe Talvisodan Muistomitali 1939-1940 mit Spange “KOTIJOUKOT” (1941),
- EK-II (11 juillet 1941),
- EK-I (6 août 1941).


Thierry

[Daniel Laurent]

Pierre Cance 1907-1988
1939: Leutnant at the 112 Mountain Infantry Regiment (Chasseurs Alpins)
Company Commander in 1940
Medaille militaire awarded on the frontline.

Join the Legion des combattants and the SOL after the armistice.
In February 1943, Darnand asks him to join the Milice full time and he becomes General Delegate.

Join the Waffen SS in October 43 and command in 1944 the 1st battalion of the Sturmbrigade Frankreich. Wounded in August 44 in Galicia, SS-Sturmbannführer Cance becomes Tactical teacher at the Neweklau SS-Junkerschule.

He will be captured by the British in Northern Germany in May 45 and transferred to France. Condemned to death by a French tribunal, he will eventually be freed on October 17, 1950, i.e. after only 5 years.

He spent the rest of his life writing books about his life and about the Milice and Waffen SS.
Died in 1988.

Herebelow, a page of his Waffen SS file. I don't have any photo, if somebody can post one, thanks in advance

[zabrali]

Hi Daniel,

have you a another documents of french waffen ss file ?, in 39/45 magazine you have a photo of pierre cance in

Galicia with ss-standartenfuhrer schaeffer .

Zabrali

[Daniel Laurent]

Hi Daniel,
have you a another documents of french waffen ss file ?, in 39/45 magazine you have a photo of pierre cance in Galicia with ss-standartenfuhrer schaeffer .
Zabrali

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, scan this photo and post it!
Merci d'avance

Regards
Daniel

[Daniel Laurent]

Monsignore Jean de Mayol de Luppe
(1873-1975, Iron cross 1942),
After a well filled carrier as Chaplain in several French Army units from 1914 till 1927, he became the first Chaplain of the French LVF (Franzosischer Infantry-Regiment 638)
The LVF volunteers must take an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler and that creates several problems. They will be pacified by Mgr. Mayol de Lupe general chaplain of the LVF, who celebrates a mass in the morning of the October 5 1941, day of the oath. His homely was starting with “In the name of our Saint-father the Pope and our Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.
During spring 1944, the rupture of the central eastern front will provide the LVF with an opportunity to redeem the failures of the 1941 winter. One June 22, 1944, the German front is horribly weakened by the assault of 196 Soviet divisions. While the Wehrmacht retreat everywhere, a LVF battalion, formed in a Kampfgruppe, is asked to cut the Moscow-Minsk road in front of Borrisov, near from the Beresina river. Leaded by Commandant Bridoux, son of the Vichy war Minister, the Kampfgruppe is composed of 400 men, all veterans. Mgr Mayol de Luppe, 71 years old, is with them!
He will be arrested in 1947, condemned to 15 years jail but will be liberated in 1951. He finished his life in a convent in Versailles

Regards
Daniel

[Daniel Laurent]

Now, a list of the French SS cadets who graduated in the SS-Junkerschule
As I cant' read German properly, all comments are most welcomed.
Regards
Daniel

[Daniel Laurent]

Double post, sorry

[Daniel Laurent]

And now the Iron Cross certificate of a French Waffen SS.
I am badly struggling trying to find any details about him.

Waffen SS Rotenfuhrer Andre Lamy, from the 33 SS Panzergrenadier Division Charlemagne.
Any info are most welcomed.

Regards
Daniel

[zabrali]

Hi Daniel,

your document is't very very interesting , this is a kind of document

I looking For.

Zabrali