Introduction to Foreign Volunteer Awards

    Introduction

    Trying to obtain accurate information on Foreign Legion Awards is almost impossible. After the war most of the former veterans or party members were either killed, sent to prison or exiled. Family members either destroyed everything associated to their past or keep them well hidden because of the fear of being incriminated, so there is very little data available. I am hoping that collectors and historians would provide information relating to these legion awards.

    Legion Awards

    These so-called Legion awards were manufactured, instituted and awarded by the leaders of the various pro-nazi groups who formed their own separate para-military formations or by the Germanic SS formations in Flanderns, Holland, Denmark and Norway. It should be noted that Hitler did not always approved the wearing of these decorations on German uniforms, however, in spite of certain regulations the wearing of these decorations were tolerated and eventually approved by the Germans especially the Waffen-SS who had the majority of foreign volunteers. No German nationals wore such legion awards unless authorized or in special circumstances. The following illustrations are just a few of the types of Legion medals or badges that were awarded to foreign volunteer soldiers who participated on the Eastern Front.

    FLEMISH & WALLOON AWARDS Rexist Badge of Honor 1940

    DUTCH LEGION AWARDS

    NORWEGIAN LEGION AWARDS

    DANISH LEGION AWARDS

    Legion Awards

    Legion Awards

    SPANISH BLUE DIVISION AWARDS

    FRENCH VOLUNTEER LEGION AWARDS

    CROATIAN LEGION AWARDS

    RSI AWARDS & INSIGNIA

    EASTERN PEOPLES AWARDS

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