How many Dutch served in the Waffen-SS?
Between 22,000 to 25,000 Dutch served in the Waffen-SS, the elite armed wing of the SS—the Nazi Party’sSchutzstaffel or “Protective Echelon.”
What was Hitler’s Wehrmacht?
listen), lit. ‘defence force’) was the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy) and the Luftwaffe (air force).
What happened to Das Reich?
SS-Panzerdivision “Das Reich”) or SS Division Das Reich was an elite division of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II, formed from the regiments of the SS-VT. It was then transferred to the West and took part in the fighting in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, ending the war in Hungary and Austria.
What happened to Dutch collaborators after ww2?
After the war, some accused of collaborating with the Germans were lynched or otherwise punished without trial. Men who had fought with the Germans in the Wehrmacht or Waffen-SS were used to clear minefields and suffered losses accordingly. Others were sentenced by courts for treason.
What does Wafen mean?
noun. armament [noun] (usually in plural) equipment for war, eg the guns etc of a ship, tank etc.
How did the Handschar Division get its name?
It was given the title Handschar after a local fighting knife or sword carried by Turkish policemen during the centuries that the region was part of the Ottoman Empire. It was the first non-Germanic Waffen-SS division, and its formation marked the expansion of the Waffen-SS into a multi-ethnic military force.
When was the SS Panzer Division Wiking formed?
This Division was formed in December 1940. Initially, the Division was called Germania but the title of the unit was changed to Wiking in January 1941.
Why was the Waffen SS called the Handschar?
It was given the title Handschar after a local fighting knife or sword carried by Turkish policemen during the centuries that the region was part of the Ottoman Empire. It was the first non-Germanic Waffen -SS division, and its formation marked the expansion of the Waffen -SS into a multi-ethnic military force.
What was the name of the Waffen SS Division?
SS-Panzerdivision „Wiking“) was a Panzer division among the thirty eight Waffen-SS divisions of Nazi Germany. It was recruited from foreign volunteers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands and Belgium under the command of German officers.