"The SS-Sturmbrigade ‘Wallonien’ belongs to the formations of the Heer
and Waffen-SS that defied all enemy attacks during the weeks of combat
in the Cherkassy pocket, fighting all alone. Degrelle took over
leadership of the Brigade after its former brave commander,
SS-Sturmbannführer Lucien Lippert, died in battle on the 13.02.1944
after a shot to the chest. Prior to this Degrelle had already
distinguished himself several times through his personal bravery, and in
his new role he demonstrated outstanding leadership during the decisive
breakthrough fighting of the last days. He and his brave Walloons
acquitted themselves very well as they struggled side by side with
soldiers of the Heer and the Germanic men of the Waffen-SS in a true
comradely fashion. I recommend that this brave leader of men be awarded
the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on February 20th, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve of the 5.SS-Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade "Wallonien" / 8.Armee.
"An enemy attack on the 23.08.1944 that focused against Estonian
formations led to the total disintegration of these units. With this the
entire west/southwest flank of Dorpat was exposed, and only defended by
alarm units of minimal combat minor. Meanwhile, during the morning hours of this day, SS-Sturmbannführer
Degrelle was driving to a heavy Kompanie positioned further to the
southwest. After discovering the situation he assembled the disorganized
units in the vicinity of Lemmatsi that were fleeing towards Dorpat. He
reformed them into a Kampfgruppe buttressed by weak German units, and on
the very same day he used this unit to create a firm security line
along the axis of the main enemy advance. His personal devotion to duty is characterized by the fact that he was
able to persuade the less steadfast Estonians to hold their ground by
giving his orders to them directly from the trenches themselves.
It was only his commitment to the action that prevented an enemy advance
towards the city of Dorpat and the consequent cutting-off of friendly
elements that were still positioned south of the city." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on August 27th, 1944 as SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve of the 28.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Wallonië".
Another vile enemy elite,
Brian & Mel
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