SS Charlemagne

Annex A The Formation of a French Regiment of the Waffen-SS

Communiqué issued at a press conference in Paris on 6 August 1943.

With the law of 22 July 1943, President Laval, with the assent of the Head of State, Marshal Pétain, recognises the right of all Frenchmen to enlist in the formations of the Waffen-SS in the east in order to participate in the fighting for the existence and future of Europe.

By virtue of this law, the volunteers for the Waffen-SS enjoy the same legal status as members of the LVF.

The French Government has thus shown that it appreciates the offer made by the Führer and that it is ready to play its part in the obligations demanded at this decisive time in the fate of Europe.

It is clear that the formation of a unit of French volunteers within the body of the Waffen-SS represents a new and very important step in the unification of European youth against bolchevist nihilism.

The fact is that through the influx of volunteers from almost all the European countries, who, side by side with their German comrades, are distinguishing themselves by their valour on the Eastern Front, the SS, essential fundament of the National Socialist Party that since its beginning only had an internal German political value, has become transformed today into an indissoluble community of European youth fighting for the maintenance of its cultural values and civilisation.

That French youth has reacted instinctively to this new step is demonstrated by the fact that within several days, and with hardly any propaganda, more than 1,500 volunteers have come forward. The first battalion exists and soon the first French SS regiment will be in the course of proving the permanence of the high French military tradition and the combatant spirit of its youngsters.

The SS will make itself a point of honour and will consider it an essential task of using the military qualities and will to fight of every Frenchman disposed to engage his life in the fight for the existence and future of Europe against Bolchevism for social justice – for victory!

Except for Jews and those with a criminal conviction, all Frenchmen, bachelors or married men, normally developed and suitable for military training, may enlist in the Waffen-SS.

Age 17–40; Height 1.65m.

Those volunteers, simple soldiers at the time of enlistment, that show the required aptitude, can be admitted to the officer and NCO schools of the Waffen-SS. Admittance to these schools will not be determined by the candidates’ diplomas or university degrees, but solely by their proven personal qualities and aptitude for command.

French officers and NCOs will have the opportunity of regaining their ranks and receiving commands after attending a course at the Waffen-SS officer and NCO schools. The courses will include instruction and examination in capacity and aptitude for command.

In addition, those simple soldier volunteers showing the required aptitudes could also be admitted to the same schools.

Basically no difference is made between volunteers in the Waffen-SS, they all undergo the German Waffen-SS regime.

The Waffen-SS being the big family of the new Europe’s young combatants, the French volunteers will have exactly the same duties and obligations, but also the same advantages, as their German, Nowegian, Danish, Dutch, Fleming, Walloon or Swiss comrades.