Published: 25 December 2010
Last Updated: 05 May 2013
The 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was formed when SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was redesignated. It was upgraded to 28. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Wallonien in September 1944.
Commanders
SS-Sturmbannführer Leon Degrelle (? Mar 1944 – 18 Sep 1944) [Political leader, not military leader]
Manpower strength
30 June 1944 1.188
Holders of high awards
Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (1)
– Degrelle, Léon, 14.09.1944,, SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. Kdr. 5. SS-Frw-Sturm-Brigade “Wallonien” / 5. SS-Pz.Div. “Wiking”
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (2)
– Degrelle, Léon, 09.10.1944, SS-Sturmbannführer d.R., Kdr. 5. SS-Frw.Sturm-Brig. “Wallonien” / 5. SS-Pz.Div. “Wiking” / III.(germ.)SS-Pz.Korps / Armee-Abt Grasser / HGr Nord
– Lippert, Lucien, 20.02.1944, SS-Sturmbannführer, SS-Frw.Brig. “Wallonien”
Holders of the Knight’s Cross (3) (1 EL, 2 RK)
– Oakleaves
— Degrelle, Léon [EL o.Nr.] 27.08.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Kdr 5. SS-Frw-Sturm-Brig „Wallonien“ / Kampfgruppe Wagner / Armee-Abt Narwa / HGr Nord
– Knight’s Cross
— Degrelle, Léon 20.02.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. Führer 5. SS-Frw-Sturm-Brigade “Wallonien” / 8. Armee / HGr Süd [subordinated to 5.SS-PD “Wiking”]
— Gillis, Léon 30.09.1944 SS-Untersturmführer Zugführer i. d. 5. SS-Frw-Sturm-Brigade “Wallonien”
Sources used
Christopher Ailsby – Hitler’s Renegades: Foreign nationals in the service of the Third Reich
Eddy De Bruyne & Marc Rikmenspoel – For Rex and for Belgium: Leon Degrelle and Walloon Political & Military Collaboration 1940-45
Dr. K-G Klietmann – Die Waffen-SS: eine Dokumentation
Kurt Mehner – Die Waffen-SS und Polizei 1939-1945
Richard Landwehr – The “Wallonien”: The history of the 5th SS-Sturmbrigade and 28th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division
Reference material on this unit
Eddy De Bruyne & Marc Rikmenspoel – For Rex and for Belgium: Leon Degrelle and Walloon Political & Military Collaboration 1940-45
Eddy De Bruyne – Les Wallons meurent à l’Est
Léon Degrelle – La Campagne de Russie 1941-1945
Richard Landwehr – The “Wallonien”: The history of the 5th SS-Sturmbrigade and 28th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division
Jean Mabride – Brigade d’assaut Wallonie
Jean Mabride – Division de choc Wallonie
