SS Charlemagne: The 33rd Waffen-Grenadier Division of the SS

We have just lived through days interspersed with fighting after some hard marching. We did not fight as a small unit merged within the German Army, but as an autonomous French division. It is with the name Charlemagne that the fame for bravery and French determination has been renewed. With pride we recall how we stopped the enemy south of Bärenwalde when he penetrated the German lines. Within an hour we destroyed 16 enemy tanks near Elsenau and Bärenwalde. At Neustettin too we demonstrated our gallantry.

But it was above all at Körlin that we proved that we know how to fight to the last on the field of battle when the rest of the army fled. By holding on until the early hours of the 5th March, we gave part of the German Army and ourselves the chance to get out of the Russian encirclement. We rejoined the German positions near Dievenow after traversing several enemy cordons. It was not only our fighting spirit that gave us success, but also our discipline.

We will not forget our comrades at Kolberg who have been cited several times by the commandant of that fortress for their particularly remarkable bravery. At this very moment, elements of our Division are defending the city of Danzig alongside their German comrades.

Everywhere we have contributed to checking the Bolshevists’ breaking wave. This fight could not have taken place without serious losses, but numerous comrades that have succeeded in rejoining our lines. Let us hope that General Puaud will be among those heroic combatants rejoining us soon. Battle has unified us. The fact that our Division has been reduced by glorious battles should incite us again to form only one unit, one team.

So far away from our country, we have been able to surround our flag with a new glory; we know that all Frenchmen, who like us and for the freedom of the country, want a new European order look upon us with pride.

We have always said that the only ones that can take part in restoring France are those who have proved themselves as soldiers under the hardest circumstances. After long months of training, we have been able to show the spirit that animates us, a spirit that in the days to come will lead us to new successes right until the long awaited day when we can participate in the liberation of our country.

History has taught us that after a battle we must not feel fatigue but, on the contrary, gather up all our energy for another fight. The time in which we now live is decisive. Now that we have gained the esteem of the Waffen-SS, no soldier conscious of his honour can leave the ranks.

The glory of the LVF in the east, the success of the French SS-Storm Brigade in the Carpathians, the battles fought by the Militia in our country, should create a unit sealed by the French blood lost in Pomerania and give birth to a tradition worthy of the revolutionary idea for which we are fighting.

Your faith in national-socialist victory is unwavering, even more ferociously if the situation becomes more difficult! Alongside our German comrades fighting for the same ideal, we follow the Führer, liberator of Europe!