Flemish Volunteers for Germany during World War II: the Flemish Legion and the Flemish Waffen-SS

Flemish volunteers for Germany (Oostfronters) served in the Flemish Legion, the NSKK (National Socialist Motor Corps), the OT (Organisation Todt) and the Flemish Waffen-SS during the German occupation of Belgium. They were part of the Belgian collaboration during World War II. During the German invasion of Belgium (1940) the country was taken over by the Third Reich. Different Belgian fascist parties - such as VNV and Rex - were willing to collaborate with the Germans. When Germany invaded the Soviet Union Flemish volunteers were in need for the Eastern Front.
History Hustle presents: Flemish Volunteers for Germany during World War II: the Flemish Legion and the Flemish Waffen-SS.
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SOURCES
- Drang naar het Oosten (Frank Seberechts).
- Joining Hitler's Crusade. European Nations and the Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941 (David Stahel) - Belgium (Nico Wouters).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org.
MUSIC
"Clenched Teeth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
"Road to Hell" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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"Dark Times" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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SOUNDS
Freesound.org.
Wanna join forces and do a collaboration? Send me an email at: [e-mail]

[@HistoryHustle]

Want to learn about other PRO-GERMAN VOLUNTEERS? DUTCH: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mILPd2OflpJ0eKM NORWEGIANS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGSlgYprjLKgetE FRENCH: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKacaKWraNOEn9U BRITISH: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haHIp3qraLJqrLM CROATIANS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/en26dZulj7Zjnrs SPANISH: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2m4g4ONaqqIfLM RUSSIANS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXzTm2pua7iiqMU CENTRAL ASIANS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inbLiWynbNynsNE CAUCASIANS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3akgax_rMp6psk

[@HistoryHustle]

More on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWK3qX2Nl7F9eZI

[@victorydaydeepstate]

Thanks bro!

[@oomgawie9175]

Listen up pal we would have been under the Soviets other wise!

[@mindme7628]

Finally! As a Belgian I am happy you are finally releasing this video. 🇧🇪

[@HistoryHustle]

Hope you find it interesting. It took me 20+ hours to make, just so you know.

[@mindme7628]

@@HistoryHustle I am sorry for my earlier comments. (I was the Belgian guy)

[@HistoryHustle]

No problem. 👍

[@aldrixalkemadus]

Ahem south nedeland

[@redhutsgaming3067]

Me to

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

This was a really great video! Thanks for not forgetting about us again! 😂😂😂😂 You tricked me when you said nevermind and I was just heading for the comments to get angry before u mentioned us! 😂😂 It's so annoying when other history channels forget us and that's why I prefer yours.

[@HistoryHustle]

Never. Forget.

[@ratscoot]

I spoke quite a few Flemish East front volunteers during the nineties. In most cases they didn’t “fight for Germany”. Volunteers in the legioen mostly fought out of anti communism (as encouraged by quite a few Catholic priests) or they were Flemish nationalists who believed their leaders who told them Flanders would gain independance after a German victory. As for the SS volunteers they fought for a united Europe without communism or capitalism as propagated in SS recruiting propaganda. Even 50 years after the war there was still a division between the two groups, they had their own veteran organisations.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting to read. Thank you for sharing this!

[@ratscoot]

@@HistoryHustle Interestingly the attitude to these volunteers is more relaxed in the Baltic states and even Russia as it is in Western Europe. Members of the Flemish SS veterans organisation went to russia in the nineties to meet with a Soviet WW2 veterans organisation. They donated a new bell to a church an were able to erect a monument for their fallen comrades. In 2007 Dutch volunteers erected a monument for their comrades in Narva. historiek.net/een-gedenkteken-voor-nederlandse-oostfrontstrijders/82034/

[@dickvansteijn4115]

@@ratscoot Western Europe? Probably France. The French still hate the fact the German Army obliterated their Army within 3 weeks in 1940. The Baltics and Ukrain saw the Germans as liberators from Stalin in 41. Hence the difference in attitude

[@perun121]

@@dickvansteijn4115 The French completely failed to show off in World War II. They did not draw conclusions from the Polish campaign and did not want to listen to Polish officers about the new combat tactics because they were too proud to accept advice and help.

[@KR-jt4ut]

They fought for money, my friend. They were well paid to do this dirty job for the Nazi's.

[@BelloBudo007]

As an Aussie I am just beginning to put together the Flemish Waffen SS contributions, reasons for joining & campaigns fought in. So this will be very interesting as well as educational for me.

[@HistoryHustle]

Tomorrow!

[@istoppedcaring6209]

I am a history student from Flanders and I do have some interesting notions based on my own research you wil probably not even read it but I do think I give a fair view of it, (though anyone has biasses and a Belgicist may feel like I am not hard enough whilst a hardcore flamingant may feel like collaboration was entirely justified and so on. first off, you have a weird flex in Flanders, most countries are very negative about the volunteers in early literature and I think mellowed down to a less emotional stance. In Flanders the early literature on them, academic literature to be clear, was actually fairly positive regarding their motivations. But is now actually getting more critical as it becomes again, less emotional, it is important to understand that Belgium was still a linguistically opressive country (and this lasted until well into the later 20th century when Flanders started becoming richer but still survives in certain area's today like the royal family speaking only broken Dutch.) so to this day Flemish nationalist parties are the biggest parties in Flanders and in fact Belgium as a whole. but they are still divided on what should happen, some major politicians still hint towards a desire for a unification with the Netherlands, others want full independence and many also want a confederal state that simply shares a royal family, maybe a capital and when it comes to the militairy , well we allready share a benelux command structure so it really matters little today. So why did Flemish people join, well many would have been motivated by the above but from the files and articles I read these motivations mostly removed a major objection that (for instance) the French would have had, loyalty to their country and government. The primary motivation however was money and prospects, the people that joined the Flemish guard and Flemish factory guard were often convinced that they would be the new national police force when this was over. They were also exempt from being sent to German labour camps and got a decent wage most people could not begin to hope for, and ofcourse they must have also had some authority out of it. but few were ideologically motivated and even then fighting a war for Germany really didn't make sense to most of them either. The church did also preach about the dangers of communism, and people were still very catholic for the most part. (and to be fair they were not wrong regarding the USSR in that regard). an important event here is when a new pledge was introduced and to be taken by all those who joined or allready were part of the guard units (and likely other units as well) and that was a pledge of allegiance to Hitler. HALF of the guards refused and were thus fired from their position over it, and this was not just quitting your job over something like you may do today, this meant that they had also slighted the regime and meant they would soon collect them for labour duty in Germany. this was also about the time that all ilusions of post war independence or union with the netherlands were shattered, DeVlag (duits vlaamse arbeidsgemeenschap) took over recruitment. Flanders was to be part of the reich when the war was over (not exactly much of a step up from the French and especially from Belgium where at least nominally Dutch had gained official language status allongside French. Most likely Germanification was the endgoal as it had been Frenchification for French revolutionary, Napoleonic and early Belgian governments. I only scratched the surface here, again I doubt you wil read it but perhaps compare it to this, what if a foreign country invaded australia in the same period and "promised" similar things to the aboriginee population and further promissed prominent status and an income to those who collaborated in various roles?

[@cd9962]

Awesome, Flemish history! As someone from Antwerpen this is fascinating

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply 👍🏻

[@noahbpeters]

Very few people talk about Belgium in the context of WW2, so it's a great topic. I also love the pictures that you included in this video

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks. Love to cover more about the country during WW2 in the future.

[@almarcson]

It’s a weekly topic here in the parliament whenever a right-orientated party makes a statement.

[@noahbpeters]

@@almarcson How and about what are you talking about it?

[@TheYeti308]

War is HELL. I do know that the SS Viking, was a fighting group second to very few. Their battle record speaks for it self. I'd be proud and relieved to know these men had my back. !

[@HistoryHustle]

More on the Viking Division in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGjQcnmHZsRrqac

[@kampfgruppepeiper501]

I really appreciate how you created this video, the overview and the different sub categories that Flemish men served in, and even their motivations. I certainly learned a lot and have found no other channel like yours. Thank you for covering and teaching about these subjects. Cheers

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks

[@hihih5h5]

Thank you for the great contents. This channel is definitely one of the best history channels on KZbin! Thank you again for helping me with many questions i had about WW2.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your compliment!

[@rafopderand8524]

Flemings were an oppressed minority back then (you couldn't even go to high schools were teachers spoke Dutch!) and still are second rank citizens within Belgium today, losing ever more territory because of Francophone imperialism. Hence it's perfectly understandable that when the Germans proposed an alternative and better deal that the Flemings went with it. After the war Flanders would've been an important Reichsgau and the territories lost to France in the middle ages would've also been returned to Flanders. There would've finally been a Flemish revival shielding the nation from romanisation. From a Flemish minded perspective it all makes a lot of sense, more sense than fighting for a state which despises Flemings and seeks to replace their culture. As a Fleming I'm very proud of everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice or bled to make it happen, even though it was ultimately in vain. Houzee! Make Dietsland great again!

[@HistoryHustle]

Being proud of Flandres is fine. Admiring men who volunteered for Germany in WW2 and committed war crimes, isn't.

[@ON7ARQ]

@@HistoryHustle Wat is het verschil tussen een "war crime" en een andere moord ? beide slachtoffers zijn vermoord, met het verschil van omstandigheden en motief, beide verwerpelijk, resultaat jammerlijk genoeg hetzelfde, deze misdaden beging (begaat) men echter overal, zonder onderscheid

[@LordValorum]

​@@HistoryHustle Well it depends

[@jeffa.8976]

I'm in Canada, My Grandpas brother fought with the SS in Russia

[@stevemolina8801]

Many dont realize there was major turmoil in Europe between the left and the right. Another great video!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Steve!

[@marcoskehl]

2:37 I was waiting for this Easter Egg. The Luxembourgish Empire will never be forgotten.

[@HistoryHustle]

👌🇱🇺

[@christophemacker5338]

Dank U wel voor deze prachtige video, alsook voor alle andere natuurlijk. Vele groeten van uit Vlaanderen.

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt voor uw bericht, Christophe!

[@walkingwithgiants1]

Another great in depth presentation, you have great enthusiasm and honesty in your content, thank you for all your hard work.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your compliment!

[@patrickbeerens7320]

Super , as Belgian you make us proud , your show is going to higher levels every week , lots of respect Stefan

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Patrick!

[@RickJZ1973]

Great presentation! Extremely informative and well done. I always look forward to a new video from you Stefan. Your content is top notch.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks, good to read:)

[@stepanovtakiov9311]

I love how Luxembourg has become a meme on this channel. I think it's a cute tiny country compared to us. This was a very interesting video. Keep it up.

[@HistoryHustle]

Haha, sure thing!:)

[@est_tazer7725]

These volunteer videos are so interesting, keep up the good work!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@sergeantmajorgross4461]

I approve of this mans profile picture.

[@HistoryHustle]

👌🤣

[@est_tazer7725]

@@sergeantmajorgross4461 🤣

[@ethan-youtubetips9038]

Here to support. Will definitely come back for the next video. When is it coming out? Thumbs up 👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Next week I'll talk about Dutch Waffen-SS volunteers in the field.

[@RevoluitonaryTV]

This must be quite the achievement as a content creator, to have over a dozen people waiting for the next video, for more than half a day before it has even started! Nice ^^ EDIT: Mistake on my part, it´s not half a day, it´s more like two days... impressiv

[@HistoryHustle]

Yeah haha.

[@theblondesiouxsiesioux]

Yes! Been looking forward to this. Keep up the fine work. I know you put a lot of time & effort into your videos. My boyfriend & I enjoy watching these together very much. Seen every episode from the very beginning. You're one of our favorite on KZbin. & hey, love your accent.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. Take good care there!

[@giuseppe196424]

Awesome video Stefaan, still a hot topic here in Belgian. Love your videos about those foreign volunteers.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@Nico-lj4fo]

Hi, thanks for the nice video. Will you also make one about the actual battles fought by the legion and later the Langemarck division? Like the battle of Leningrad, Narva and the Tannenberg line? Keep up the good work.

[@HistoryHustle]

Long time ago I did cover the Siege of Leningrad briefly. You can check it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4C8l4Wbr5l1q7s I hope to travel one day to the locations on Estonia to cover these battles. I did make an overview video of Estonia during WW2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnjcYnaCi5eMp6M

[@hellsapoppin2048]

I am just an old Oklahoma cowboy that enjoys your program so much.

[@HistoryHustle]

Great 👍

[@t.jjohnson6317]

Thumbs up nice vid.Thank-you

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks 👍

[@mammuchan8923]

Superb video as always , well researched and nice graphics and photos. Just a question, is there a similar episode coming about the Walloons, or did the Flemish and Walloons feel differently about Germany

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks. And yes, I'll cover the Walloon Legion, but not anytime soon for now since I have many other plans for videos.

[@lancev.o8052]

Awesome video! Loved it. My grandfathers cousin fought on the eastern front in ww2. He was also a volunteer. His name is Oswald Van Ooteghem, if you have interest in reading about him. 😁

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing. What can you tell us about his experiences?

[@lancev.o8052]

@@HistoryHustle sadly all I know comes from things I've read about him, or story's from my grandfather. I've never gotten the possibility to talk to him. In his youth he was part of the AVNJ and the NSJV. When the war broke out he joined the Flemish legion in 1941, and whent to fight on the eastern front. It didn't take long before he rose to the rank of officer, and he followed a study to become a war correspondent. He followed it during his leave time in Berlin, 1942. When he returned he saw combat in Leningrad and became part of the division Langemark. After the 2nd world war he became a belgian polotician and had a 2 years prison sentence for claims of Landverraad in tijden van oorlog.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting to read.

[@lancev.o8052]

@@HistoryHustle No problem, you're welcome!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks, this part of the history of WW2 has not been apart of my reading over the years. I had heard about the Belgium and Flemish volunteers but you have covered it so well that I am going to more research as its a really interesting topic. I just wonder if there is any ongoing issues with Belgium and the Netherlands people who either enlisted or work with the Germans in this day and age.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your message, Andrew!

[@sotvanbreslau2768]

Another outstanding video, dank je well! One piece of advice, id never call it „correction”: Dębica in south-east Poland is pronounced more like Dehm-beetsa, not „Dehbika”. Keep up the good work Stephan!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for the correction! :)

[@8000296]

A great vid! Again

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍

[@Jurflip2]

Bedankt Stefan. Very interesting. It is also good that you elucidate the reasons these men had for joining the German forces. As with the Dutch volunteers and I suppose many of the other volunteer forces, these were very often not men who were convinced of the "1000 year Reich", German superiority or anti-semitism. They were often motivated by anti-communism (often Church inspired), or they were adventurers: young men who admired the uniforms and militarism of the Germans. And later in the war, many joined because of the increasing poverty and desolation of their existance in occupied Belgium or as forced labourers in Germany.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@bazzakeegan2243]

Once again, you have come up with the goods Stefan! Keep it up and keep safe......An Irish, history fan......If possible, in the future, could you do an episode on Operation Citadel?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks and I might cover the operation in the future, but have no concrete plans to do this anytime soon.

[@DarthBigBen]

Excellent video. If you don’t mind my asking, are you going to do the Walloon Legion next?

[@HistoryHustle]

I'll cover the Walloon Legion, but not anytime soon for now since I have many other plans for videos.

[@DarthBigBen]

@@HistoryHustle Take your time, sir. I enjoy all of your content.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@NintenDan.2005]

This'll be interesting!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@rowanhunter2157]

Very interesting, I knew a fair bit about Rexism and Degrelle but nothing about the Flemish collaboration.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@famouswarrior327]

Geweldig objectief belicht ! Erg intressante geschiedenisles.

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt!

[@anthomemories3761]

Dank u meneer from 🇧🇪 Brussels

[@HistoryHustle]

Merci!

[@Diwana71]

Thank you for this great video. The war on Soviet Union was not only by Germany alone but It was by all the Nazis across Europe. And all these countries owed reparations to Soviet Union.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. There are more vids on this topic. Here is the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpEj8sMLxUerrHbsmyar9lqt

[@iainthepict55]

Id always heard that they did it for flemish independence,speaking as a scotsman i can see where that could appeal to certain people.

[@HistoryHustle]

That played An extra role yes, they had nationalist sentiments.

[@frankv8891]

indeed, i'm Flemish, my father was in the NSKK, and served mostly in Ukraine and the Balkans . Flemish independence was the goal for the future, bashing communism another. Flanders was very catholic in those day's and many wanted to crush the atheist Soviet state. Now about collaboration, imagine the Germans would have occupied Scotland or Ireland ..my question is....how many Scots or Irish would have collaborated with the Germans to fight Soviet Russia....?......We should never know , but I think many would have done so.....your opinion about this? Thank u.

[@iainthepict55]

Hi Frank,i have no doubt some of my people(the scots) would have collaborated for whatever reason,political,religious,independence etc.I believe the british establishment was all ready to surrender and side with the germans,churchill was one of the few that wouldnt.Cant speak for the irish but i believe there was an irish ss unit?maybe another video for stefan to do.(unless hes already done it and i missed it)

[@PolCornelis]

This is a great video Stefaan . I have just one question.The Belgian judge in the animation calls the volunteer a traitor in french. As a dutch speaking Belgian citisen , the volunteer would have been judged in a dutch speaking court . Didn't they ? Overigens vind ik het geweldig een You Tube geschiedenis kanaal te hebben dat veel aandacht besteed aan de lage landen in WO2 .

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. In Nederlands mijn reactie over de voertaal. In het boek van Frank Seberechts staat dat Belgische tribunalen de oostfronters veroordeelden. Voor zover ik weet was de voertaal in België Frans. Tevens lees ik over mensen die bijvoorbeeld in Luik zijn veroordeeld waar dit eveneens het geval is. Daarom ben ik ervan uit gegaan dat dit in het Frans gebeurde. Helemaal zeker weet ik het niet. Je zou dus gelijk kunnen hebben.

[@ArienvanRijswijck]

Ik heb aktes van wat familieleden die veroordeeld waren voor deze reden en die waren in het Nederlands.

[@oomgawie9175]

Brilliant

[@HistoryHustle]

👌

[@edmills5773]

@History Hustle, Have you made a video about war crimes commitied by the Allies during and after WW2?

[@HistoryHustle]

Nope. But I did one on the 1945 Dresden bombing.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Léon Degrelle was probably the most famous Belgian collaborator. Maybe a separate video on him?

[@HistoryHustle]

Sure something for the future.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

@@HistoryHustle danke

[@ON7ARQ]

@@HistoryHustle As a flemisch I would be greatfull for it, one of the reasons of the hughes flemisch collaboration my opinion is the way how we been traeted ( a few examples : commanded in the army by french speaking officers " pour les flamands la meme choose" , waiting for the first flemisch university for decades, dominated by a french speaking Belgian Elite, and so on, at home we spook a femisch dialect, at school we learn ABN speaking, at the age of 17 I went to work in a factory in Ghent, and discovered on the bureau overthere they spook french also the workorders were at french, ) we don't have collaboraters in our family, and I don'f justified it, but regret it, 70 years later, we been still confrontated with it, see the last election I can say many more about it, but this must be sufficiant, and I never learn Englisch ...

[@kampfgruppebockmann5745]

As an avid fan of your page I have to say that you completely missed the ball on this one! The Flemish (Dutch speaking community of belgium) people, who had been oppressed by the french speaking part of belgium which were at the time the leading class (politically, economically and culturally), the shift towards Flemish nationalism and collaboration came when Germany promised them a Flemish state away from french speaking oppression. Up to ww2 Dutch (or Flemish as we also call it) wasn't even acknowledged as a language in the army, politics,... It even pre dates ww1 (where there were more Flemish speaking deads because the french speaking weren't drafted so rigorously as the Flemish because they saw it as a means to get rid of a lot of oppostion. Even "our" king at the time took part in all of this favoring the French speaking part). The story of the Flemish collaboration is one of the most fascinating of all frw legions and completely different then any other! These men did go to battle under the name of fascism but did so under the promise of a better Flanders which, again, was just that...a promise never to be met!

[@HistoryHustle]

Love to hear your sources on this. You can check mine in the description. I get many comments from far-right revionists who claim such things to whitewash history. Sure, Flemish nationalism did play an important part, cannot deny that, but many did support the Nazi ideology and carried out the crimes under its flag.

[@kampfgruppebockmann5745]

@@HistoryHustle not really liking the fact being called a "right wing revisionist"! This is pure Belgian history dating back to even the Spanish and French occupations up into the industrial revolution! Even when my father was in the army in the 1950's all the commands where still given in French, with the sentence " est pour les flamands" le même chose " (and For the Flemish the same) after each command!

[@HistoryHustle]

Think you should read better: never stated you were as such. But the fact you call yourself 'Kampfgruppe' is interesting.

[@kampfgruppebockmann5745]

@@HistoryHustle we are a living history/reenactment group called "Kampfgruppe Bockmann"...this has nothing to do with politics or personal views.

[@kampfgruppebockmann5745]

@@HistoryHustle might I suggest looking into the videos of Maurice De Wilde. He did one of the most comprehensive studies about Flemish collaboration!

[@danteopen]

Mooie video 👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank!

[@caslinden1373]

Weer een mooie video man 😁🇳🇱

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank!

[@sg76hr]

Did Frisian have same special volunteers Corps.Vrieylan/Frislan?

[@HistoryHustle]

Nope.

[@marcvloeberghs881]

Before the extermination of the Ghetto of Warsaw started, the commanding German officer asked for fresh troops to finalize the destruction , claiming his actual troops were too tired. Among them were freshly recruited and just out of training Flemish SS troops. A lot of the extreme political claims from Flemish side had it's origins in quite indigenous discriminations Flemish had been experiencing based on the Flemish language in favor of French speaking elite. These discrimination was especially felt and lived through at the front in the trenches of WWI, orders would only allowed to be given in French and if lucky someone would translate.( les soulignes: those among the Flemish would could understand and speak French) . A second facilitator in the recruitment was the involvement of some members of the catholic clergy inciting youngsters to fight the atheist, the devils in Russia. The third factor and the most painful was the liking and sympathy of the Belgium Royal Family and their entourage to the Nazi ideology, culminating in the support of the creation of Flemish and Wallonia SS units. To have an idea how far this could reach, you can go back Flemish television sequel about the WWII in Belgium, which was broadcasted on the Belgium and Dutch television as well sold on a video tape series in the shops. During the sequence of what is called ' De Konings kwestie' , which looked into the captivity of the Royal family in Belgium by the SS, when the Lt General of the SS will propose King Leopold III to help with the education of his three children, the king will express his dismay and will ask support of H. Goering in being allowed to raise his children by himself. The reply will come back signed by A. Hitler, H . Goering and H .Himmler, with the laconic text, " We fully aware that you are better qualified than our generals to raise and educate your children ", this based on documents released from the royal archives during the episode. The effect of this "education" will only start to whine down after the death King Boudewijn by the gradually reduction of the sources of financing of their support (end of the lavish subsidies to the industry which generated all kinds of commissions, abolishing the state monopolies and the subsequent companies which created the opportunity to reward complicity with jobs and easy or fast promotions).

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for taking the time to write down this additional information. Very interesting to read. Sure more to cover about Belgium and WW2.

[@rebralhunter6069]

You were so close to rustling the jimmies of The Luxembourh empire

[@HistoryHustle]

haha lol

[@TherealGoorhoor]

Mooie video! Er was eveneens de Vlaamse Flak die in de Luftwaffe was ingedeeld (een van de enige anderstalige eenheden in de LW). Dit van '42 - 45. Mocht u interesse hebben kunt u eens zien naar de boeken "Bij de Vlaamse luchtafweer" en "De fabriekswacht" beide door Dries TImmermans. Een interessant boek over de Waalse Collaboratie is "Te wapen voor Hitler" van Flore Pilsnier.

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank voor de tips, Jonas!

[@TherealGoorhoor]

History Hustle ik wil u gerust de boeken opsturen als u deze wenst te lezen maar niet kunt vinden.

[@HistoryHustle]

Voor nu hoeft het niet aangezien ik dit onderwerp even laat rusten. Toch bedankt:)

[@TherealGoorhoor]

Perfect, ik kijk al uit naar uw toekomstige content!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Wonder what it's like to have the Oostfronters rally/memorial grounds next door. Google earth shows it still being groomed with trees in a large Berkenkruis.formation. This will be another intriguing video, can't wait.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply 👍

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

@@HistoryHustle My comments disappear, perhaps this reply will stay. Great work. BZ

[@mrchrisnoll1]

So as a fellow History Teacher here, I would recommend a book titled "The Last Knight of Flanders" by Allen Brandt The battlefield accounts of Remi Schrijnen (SP?) Were without a doubt, mind boggling ! You should look this guy up.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@dougfenske2039]

Is this the same Belgian Remi depicted in the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles?

[@Jeffrey_JAD]

A very good concise history covering a lot of political and military ground in a short format. Interestingly some of them were resistant to taking the SS oath. The killing of wounded and immobilised enemies is unfortunately done by most armies.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately yes. What is unique though is the bragging of this volunteer (and others) in a letter to his parents.

[@travisreed1730]

I've always wanted to ask, are you a college level teacher, Stefan? Or do you teach at a different level? I've always been curious.

[@andresdegryse206]

Where did you get that map on the background?

[@HistoryHustle]

My school.

[@steveelliott8640]

Would be useful to know if any were awarded the Knights Cross or similar.

[@HistoryHustle]

Don't believe so.

[@michieldemaeght8037]

Remi Schrijnen was awarded one

[@mellow9384]

Very good did you know there was a soldier called remy schrijnen who destroyed 7 tanks while wounded and he was part of langemark and also a video on the vnv or verdinaso would be great because theres not much about either parties in English

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, didn't know this. Perhaps something to cover in the future.

[@theodoros9428]

Stefan the majority of the volunteers from Belgium was Flemish or Walloοηs??

[@HistoryHustle]

Still have to research the Walloons.

[@ON7ARQ]

I think the majority was flemisch (almost sure) find out why,

[@lottawatta3648]

Can you do a video about the Japanese holdouts after ww2?

[@HistoryHustle]

Perhaps one day.

[@dickvansteijn4115]

Wat is nu eigenlijk het verschil tussen Duits en Diets?

[@HistoryHustle]

Diets is een overkoepelende term voor Middennederlandse taalregio. Het heeft soms ook een extreemrechtse connotatie.

[@zillsburyy1]

mark felton has a great video on the guy that escaped to spain in May 1945

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok!

[@BajanEnglishman51]

how many volunteer videos do you want (History Hustle) *yes*

[@HistoryHustle]

Soon more about the Dutch volunteers in the field.

[@SionTJobbins]

what effect did the anti-Flemish/Dutch language) actions and attitude of Francophile Belgian military in WW1 have on the attitude of Flemish fighters (and Flemish society) towards the German occupation and forces? It was very interesting to visit the Flemish memorial tower - the Ijzertor in Diksmuide to the lives lost in the WW1. Well worth people visiting to have an idea of the impact and conflicts of WW1 and the Francophone Belgian state on Flanders and Dutch-speaking Flanders: www.museumaandeijzer.be/nl/home/

[@HistoryHustle]

Soon more about the Yser Front, I recently went to Diksmuide and was in the museum.

[@desiretheright2442]

im waiting.

[@HistoryHustle]

Till Saturday!

[@desiretheright2442]

@@HistoryHustle yessir

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

That flag is badass.

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

@@HistoryHustle The Flemish one I mean.

[@victorydaydeepstate]

What about Léon Degrell?

[@HistoryHustle]

He was Walloon. This is about the Flemish.

[@victorydaydeepstate]

@@HistoryHustle I know, but Léon Degrell was one of the most fascinating personalities of WW2. He is personna non grata because of his audacity, courage, and effectiveness

[@victorydaydeepstate]

@@HistoryHustle Thank you for clearing up the difference between Flemish and Walloon. I appreciate your videos! I didn't know if you had a video about Degrelle

[@HistoryHustle]

I will cover it eventually. 2022 somewhere.

[@avatoriox]

Important to understand the eager with which the Flemish joined an invading army is no doubt the enthousiasm from local pastors calling to join the fight against the Bolsjevik devils. That and the double standard where French "elite" were (and to some extent) running the show. Don't forget that this country was founded in 1831 and only translated it's constitution officially to Dutch (the majority population) 1967, a good 130 years later. Looking forward to your work on the French Belgian counterpart: SS Division Wallonie that was organised by Leon Degrelle (who made it safely to Spain after the war)

[@HistoryHustle]

Sure much more to cover about Belgian history. Can't say when the Walloon will be talked about.

[@kameronsharp8691]

"DID THEY COMMIT WARCRIMES?!?" Is my least favorite game show

[@HistoryHustle]

Why?

[@mikespike3962]

​@@HistoryHustle Maybe it's hard to understand for a non-native English speaker. In American English if we say "(blank) is my least favorite game show" it is a play on the dichotomy between the enthusiasm of the game show host (you) and the dark subject matter. No disrespect to you at all.

[@HistoryHustle]

I see!

[@mauzervuk5612]

Will you make a video on the Government Of National Salvation ?which was the axis Serbian puppet state

[@HistoryHustle]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIuQn6lpbdytqKs

[@mauzervuk5612]

@@HistoryHustle thank you!

[@HistoryHustle]

Perhaps in the future more about this area in WWII. Much more aspects to cover!

[@romanempire7170]

Correction: Leon Degrelle was Walloon

[@HistoryHustle]

Never said he was Flemish.

[@gizmo6746]

Thanks for this video as a flemish citizen we learn little about our contribution to the war. It looks like Europe was fighting the Russians like the present day . I wonder if the US really helped Russia or just tried to block Russia from taking the whole of Europe.

[@HistoryHustle]

I think both yes. Thanks for watching 👍

[@wokeaf3246]

De Belgen hebben ook een goede uitvinding gedaan een helicopter met schietstoel

[@HistoryHustle]

Toen al?

[@wokeaf3246]

@@HistoryHustle Ja, de Duitse propaganda zegt dat ze zijn gesneuveld tijdens de strijd maar het blijkt dat ze zich 1 voor 1 in de gehakt molen hebben in geschoten. Heel veel historicus zeggen dat als de Belgen niet mee deden dat de Duitsers hadden gewonnen

[@Feniksds]

Rex was the worst, through history the Wallons always capitulated to our conquerors.And then helped them. DId so with spain

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@homefront3162]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍

[@p.dejong4160]

Leon Degrelle..was the only Belgian taken seriously by the Germans...

[@HistoryHustle]

He was more connected to the Walloons. Hope to cover that in the future.

[@ratscoot]

Degrelle’s words are to be taken with quite a lot of salt, like his claim Hitler once said to him that if he had a son he wanted him to be like Degrelle or his claim that the comics of TinTin were realy about him saying he was TinTin.

[@ratscoot]

@@HistoryHustle Rex had a Flemish section but it was insignificant, it was in essence a Walloon-Belgicism movement. The fascist Verdinaso movement on the other hand started out as Flemish nationalists but later evolved into a greater Netherlands movement and became anti German. When the Germans invaded Belgium it’s leader Joris Van Severen was arrested by the Belgian government and deported to France where he was murdered by French soldiers. This spelled the end of Verdinaso, it was dissolved at German orders. Some former members became collaborators , Jef François became head of SS Flanders, while other joined the resistance.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for the additional information. I did wanted to mention Rex, because else everyone goes crazy in the comments, but indeed, it was French speaking Belgian nationalism.

[@piotrstrzelczyk5248]

In 2000 (Oh! my dear its a lot of time!) I was with my lectures at KHBO-Oostende (today: VIVES University). We have got a dinner, and one of persons at te meeting told to my neigbour: "Ohh, this german Stahlhelm pairs with You". This was a big blonde guy .....

[@HistoryHustle]

What did he mean?

[@piotrstrzelczyk5248]

@@HistoryHustle because a deay earlier, one of the Flemmish minnisters have to attended an. St. Martins Society harritage event. m And the Society was an former Flemish SS members association. And thisminniste was cancelled this ame night!

[@johnlerat8106]

Degrelle create la légion Wallonne,trench speaking ,they fought at Tcherkassy.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hope to cover the Walloons in the future.

[@theodorossarafis7370]

great video as always. one thing i never understood is why so many europeans collaborated with the Germans. They fought germans 15 years before and now their countries were attacked and occupied by germans. So why fight with the Germans???

[@HistoryHustle]

I guess things have changed...

[@frankv8891]

Against communism, and because fascism or nazism was very popular in the interbellum.

[@cronykil74]

Populist organisations that shift the blame to foreigners/others will always be popular with losers who cannot see their own faults. Poor education, easy sound bite propaganda, the promise of a better tomorrow where you'll be the ones in charge and not the down trodden etc. That's why the far right and far left were gaining power.

[@theodorossarafis7370]

@@cronykil74 I couldn't agree with more with you. you are absolutely right. the issue is that you have traitors who due to ideology will even kill their own parents. terrible

[@witek7755]

Dębica should be pronounced Dembitsa ;)

[@HistoryHustle]

Check.

[@TheSpritz0]

At 11 minutes 18 seconds you see the Germans have LUFTWAFFE uniforms on, and there were no Luftwaffe "Field Divisions" during Barbarossa... From Wikipedia- "The divisions were originally authorized in October 1942, following suggestions that the German Army could be bolstered by transferring personnel from other services."

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok, thanks for sharing

[@TheSpritz0]

@@HistoryHustle There is 1 possibility however, he (the prisoner of war) might have been brought to an airbase to surrender...

[@carloscarvalho6710]

olá

[@HistoryHustle]

Olá!

[@hrvojeantoniobusic3345]

God... The Easter front at times sounds like Savage sick free-for-all... Christ in heaven...

[@HistoryHustle]

It was brutal yes.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

For every fact you get right, you get 2 wrong. Did you get your Master's Degree from McDonalds? I feel sorry for the Dutch education system, although it's hard to imagine how you could lower its reputation. From personal experience, having talked to dozens of volunteers, I can assure you that most of them joined because of poverty and misleading information (spread via the catholic church). Young boys, mainly from the countryside, who could hardly read and certainly had no clue about politics. If they joined, this meant 1 mouth less to feed at home. The promise of good food, the sense of adventure that every 16-year old has, and some encouragement from the local priest, was enough to make them join. When they arrived at the battlefront, they found out what the Germans really needed them for. Most of them never returned.

[@HistoryHustle]

"Did you get your Master's Degree from McDonalds?" No, KFC.

[@JohnCamp]

Next question, why is Belgium a country?

[@HistoryHustle]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWK3qX2Nl7F9eZI

[@piotrstrzelczyk5248]

Dębica: 50 km from my home.

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok?

[@rivobravo]

During the war the dividing line was communism and anticommunism. An able body person has no place to hide, therefore must take side which is more of a gamble. Survival is matter of good luck.

[@HistoryHustle]

Back then for sure.

[@IKveldMedMrHenrix]

Can you do a beard grooming tutorial ? Awesome beard

[@HistoryHustle]

Haha, all natural I guess...

[@pitbullpowersystems8704]

Groete vanuit Suid Afrika.

[@HistoryHustle]

Groeten!

[@bluedevil3765]

Flanders, one of the only regions in Europe where the defeated wrote (and write) the history books. Just a few weeks ago, two radical Nazi collaborators were celebrated as pioneers of Flemish autonomy in an official magazine commissioned by the Flemish Parliament...

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting how current the topic is! I can tell you these volunteers were far from pioneers. Within one hour you'll find out.

[@bluedevil3765]

@@HistoryHustle Yes, especially in Flemish nationalist circles many still try to justify the actions of the collaborators and Flemish volunteers. Heck, even our current Flemish Prime Minister regularly attended meetings for former oostfronters and insisted that 'they had their reasons'. In which other European country do you get away with that?

[@blackbaron4774]

@@bluedevil3765 in Croatia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

[@avatoriox]

How do you mean "celebrated"? I understood they are mentionned in the Flemish Parlement, with a very detailed explanation of their misdeeds under Nazi reign...In Flanders this part of history is widely known...the french speaking part is very quiet about their collaboration history...the alternative would be censorship.

[@bluedevil3765]

​@@avatoriox They are included in a short hall of fame of fourteen "Vlaamse Koppen" who shaped "the emancipation of language and people" .The accompanying text is very short and uncritical. Their inclusion implies at the very least that the current Flemish region is partly their merit and that we should be grateful to them.

[@steffannystad]

In contact with enemy, it is not a war crime to bayonet or shoot enemy troop, even if laying down. I have no problem shooting body as moving through the objective. Shooting a surrendered enemy is problematic.

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok.

[@steffannystad]

I meant to say this of itself is not a war crime.

[@steffannystad]

Would you mind doing a segment on the evolution of the concept of war crimes? Starting with the Leiber Code which influenced the Hague Conventions to Nuremberg and to the present? It is interesting that most signatories did not follow the treaties until after the Allied victory.

[@jenshendrickx2230]

God dam every time i see a picture of lean degrelle i get madd

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@lukasjanssens9151]

Some of them refused to wear ss uniforms and only fight for their ideals.

[@HistoryHustle]

Haven't read this.

[@theodoreroosevelt5612]

Flanders = belgia ?

[@HistoryHustle]

Flandres + Wallonia = Belgium 🇧🇪

[@allesineen1793]

Nooo

[@HistoryHustle]

Juist ja.

[@allesineen1793]

I kan niet geloven ik ben zelf Belg, 😢

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok, ik hoop dat je de video interessant vond.

[@allesineen1793]

Dat is zeker

[@anthomemories3761]

The Germans promised them independance from Belgium

[@HistoryHustle]

As far as I know they didn't, but perhaps vague promises of autonomy.

[@sergeantmajorgross4461]

I think they promised to make them a part of the reichskomm of the Netherlands, not sure though

[@HistoryHustle]

Haven't read that.

[@ON7ARQ]

I think thats right, In Belgium we had to wait 150 years for this autonomy however it's also hard to collaborate with those who dominate you by war

[@ericvantassell6809]

the people who click "dislike" may not be fascists but it's still a "youtube crime". just sayin'

[@HistoryHustle]

I couldn't care less about likes to be honest.

[@alswann2702]

A traitor is ropebait.

[@HistoryHustle]

I see.

[@cascadianapplications7124]

That can cut both ways

[@rokadaprliinnysystemyaczno4761]

There is a tendency in western history to ask the questions you asked. But let's ask the question "what would have happened if the communists instead of Hitler took power in Germany and then invaded "bourgeois" Belgium - there can be no doubt there would have been slaughter. The soviets did not sign up to the Geneva Convention, partisans or Resistance fighters had no mercy East or West. The communists killed many times more than the fascists so it's hard to really condem what such volunteers did

[@HistoryHustle]

Two evils don't make one good. Just because communism is evil, doesn't mean alligning yourself with a genocidal dictator and committing war crimes is good. So yes, we can condemn what these volunteers did.

[@rokadaprliinnysystemyaczno4761]

@@HistoryHustle i agree two evils certainly does not make a good one. The choice for Germany in 1933 was Hitler or the communists - the liberals were discredited. It was a horrible choice and i am glad we dont have to make the choice today. Imagine it is 1933, 50% unemployment, people were hungry. It was a tough time. When you are hungry there is no "right" or "wrong". If it easy from todays perspective to judge by todays standards....Stefan, next time you come to Poland and I can inteoduce you to Poles, who when taken to nazi German as forced labour had better food than in pre war Poland! As regards the terrible question of the jews, while Hitler was persecuting them, what did the world do? Britain closed its borders AND Palestines border. Ditto USA. And during the extermination? Churchill and others refused to believe report after report....was Hitler evil? Certainly, but as you know the situation is not as black&white as western official history books show. If we condem Belgium and Dutch volunteers -who did not know about the extent of the death camps, how should we look at Churchill who refused to even acknowledg they existed until liberated/exposed by the soviets? But, looking back if one had to choose between the millions killed by the fascists or tens of million killed by the communists both are indeed evil, but one is the lesser evil. Fortunately in WW2 western europe pretty much sat it out and let the totalitarian systems slaughter each other.

[@HistoryHustle]

" The choice for Germany in 1933 was Hitler or the communists - the liberals were discredited" Actually no. The KPD had half the votes of the SPD (social democrats). The centre party had almost as much votes as the KPD (communists). "next time you come to Poland and I can inteoduce you to Poles, who when taken to nazi German as forced labour had better food than in pre war Poland!" Okay, what's your point? Poland was well off under German rule? "while Hitler was persecuting them, what did the world do? Britain closed its borders AND Palestines border. Ditto USA. And during the extermination? Churchill and others refused to believe report after report....was Hitler evil?" Again, what's your point? That Churchill was just as bad as Hitler? Yes mistakes have been made. And history isn't black and white. Even WW2 isn't. It doesn't mean we can't critically assess what people did. Look at how Flemish volunteers behaved in the field. "But, looking back if one had to choose between the millions killed by the fascists or tens of million killed by the communists both are indeed evil, but one is the lesser evil. " I'm afraid you're misinformed. The facists/nazis murdered also tens of millions and were planning to kill many more (see: Hunger Plan), yet they were defeated.

[@rokadaprliinnysystemyaczno4761]

@@HistoryHustle1/ so how would have a liberal communist alliance have worked? Like in eastern europe after 1945 where liberals "jumped" out of windows or denoenced themselves as agents of western imperialism? And once in power then what? They would have joined with therevally the USSR and still have invaded Poland. And then what? A united Germany and USSR would have marched west and NOTHING would have stopped them! 2/ How many Hitler planned to kill is an intresting topic - and very unclear, but its clear communisms victims far outnumber those of fascism 3/The most painful question is the jewish one and one in which facts are glossed over. Lets not forget Hitler did not want to kill jews - he wanted them to go to their homeland - and the British blocked it. In other words, the British gave Hitler a free hand with the jews. And still no extermination. Mass killing began AFTER stalingrad. So one could argue that if Hitler won the war the jews would have been sent east or to Palestine and not killed. Another interesting forgotten fact is that while the nazis were terribly anti jewsih this was not true for other fascist regimes (eg Italy. Mussolini refused to had over a single jew, as did Hungary - only when the Germans took direct control over Hungary and Italy did jewsih deportations begin). 4/The point i am desperately trying to make is that the situation was a horrible one to be in in 1933-45 it is not black and white as western historians make up. Polish historians -who certainky have no sympathy for Hitler or Stslin are digging up a lot of forgotten and overlooked facts. Across many parts of poland there were many places on near starvation levels - pilish teenagers taken as forc3d labour to germany talk about how they were better fed by the nazis! I am just trying to show the situation was not black and white. The Belgium volunteers - if they fought the communists, brawo, but if they committed war times, yes that we can all agree is bad, but i doubt they signed up to kill jews, but rather to fight communism. If Holland had ended up like East Germany, you would better understand.

[@cascadianapplications7124]

It wouldve been better to have the Fascists beat the Soviets

[@azfarhafiy939]

If the Belgien say the Flemish were traitor then why are there's a Flemish legion graveyard

[@HistoryHustle]

Where?

[@azfarhafiy939]

@@HistoryHustle the country Estonia

[@azfarhafiy939]

@@HistoryHustle at siname