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

a) Put into effect and supervise all the measures ordered by the OKW guaranteeing the incorporation of the volunteers from various elements of the Wehrmacht [LVF, OT, Navy, NSKK, etc.].

b) Control of the aptitude of members of the Brigade – old and new – of all ranks to their engagement at the front and in the performance of their methods of combat. [Krukenberg was used to sacking incompetent NCOs and soldiers and in making the necessary demands in the case of officers.]

c) Examining the equipment and armament of the Brigade, as well as the organisation of the supply services, which, as for the LVF, remained a German responsibility. [A quartermaster was appointed as a result of this inspection.]

d) Supervising the theoretical and practical instruction of former French Army officers and NCOs to ensure that their tactical training and military habits conformed to German conceptions.

e) Establishing a military training plan for the troops and surveillance of its execution, despatching officers and soldiers to courses at various German military schools of the various arms.

f) Initiating and maintaining all measures to psychologically prepare those members of the Brigade who had not previously experienced defensive fighting against the Red Army.

g) Before the transfer to the front – and giving full command authority to the French commander of the Brigade – acting as intermediary with the German headquarters.

h) Taking into account all the directives, transforming the Brigade into a Division in the spring of 1945. [Without imposing on the French commander’s position, the Inspector continued to act as the Division’s supreme Judge Advocate General.]

i) Thanks to an organisation immediately subordinate to the Inspectorate, alleviating the concern of the French soldiers with regard to their families on German territory.

General Krukenberg then requested and obtained the approval of the High Command for the following points considered by him to be necessary: