Frikorps Danmark

Discussions on the foreigners (volunteers as well as conscripts) fighting in the German Wehrmacht, those collaborating with the Axis and other period Far Right organizations. Hosted by George Lepre.
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Ezboard

Frikorps Danmark

#1

Post by Ezboard » 29 Sep 2002, 13:40

Unregistered User
(5/7/00 11:21:05 pm)
Reply Frikorps Danmark
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Does anyone have info about Frikorps Danmark?

Marcus Wendel
Administrator
(5/8/00 3:31:49 pm)
Reply Re: Frikorps Danmark
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Freikorps Danmark (called Frikorps Danmark by the danes) was founded in 1941 on the request of the danish nazi-party (Danmarks Nationalsocialistiske Arbejder Parti (DNSAP)) and with the approval of the danish government. There were some trouble with recruiting officers until it was decided that they would keep their danish rank (and pension) when they joined the Waffen-SS. The danish soldiers swore an oath to the commander of the Wehrmacht and not the usual oath to Adolf Hitler.
Christian Peder Kryssing became the first commander of the unit even though he was not a member (or even supporter) of the DNSAP. Kryssing was soon replaced by Christian Frederick von Schalburg (who at the time was attached to Wiking division) who finished their training.
Freikorps Danmark was transfered to the eastern front in May 1942 and were attached to the Totenkopf divison. They fought in the savage battles of the Demjansk-pocket and lost 78% of it's manpower (including Christian Frederick von Schalburg and his successor Hans von Lettow-Vorbeck).
Freikorps Danmark was sent back to Denmark in August 1942 on leave. They returned to the eastern front in October (with Knud Børge-Martinsen as the new commander) and was stationed near Nevel.
The unit were withdraw from the front in March 1943 and were sent to the Grafenwöhr camp (near Nürnberg). The unit was disbanded 20 May and most of the danes were transfered to SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 24 Danmark (of the Nordland division).

More info is available on this site.

/Marcus

Klaus
Unregistered User
(5/9/00 11:36:44 am)
Reply Thanks
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Thanks!

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