Flemish letters

Flemish Eastern Front letters - Freiwilligen Legion Flandern

A six-part letter by SS Schütze Albert-Karel Van der Bracht – Legion Flandern – Killed in action during the Battle of Krasny Bor on 25 March 1943.

Albert Karel Van der Bracht was born on 22 February 1913 in Meerbeke and lived at Roesbekestraat 11. He joined the Waffen-SS, where he served in the 4th Company of the SS-Freiwilligen Legion "Flandern" and was killed in action on 25 March 1943 during the intense fighting at Krasny Bor in Russia.

2 letters from Flemish Waffen SS volunteer – Sturmbrigade Langemarck – Hugo Servaes – Killed in action in Jampol 'March 1944'.

Hugo Servaes was born on 24.08.1925 in Campenhout. As a young idealist, he joined the Flemish collaboration organization DeVlag – Deutsch-Vlämische Arbeitsgemeinschaft and volunteered for the Freiwilligen Legion Flandern in april 1942. Hugo was involved in some of the most intense and brutal combat situations of the eastern front and fell on 4.03.1944 in Jampol, Ukraine at the age of 18 years old. Hugo wrote many letters during his years in the Waffen SS. Below are two letters sent from Senheim in January 1943.

Flemish Eastern Front letters - Sturmbrigade Langemarck - Division Langemarck - Waffen SS

An eight-part letter by Untersturmführer Luc Bottu, written on Friday, 17 July 1944 – Killed in action at Narva – I. Btl./3./6. SS. Freiw. Sturmbrigade Langemarck

Luc Bottu was born on 6 August 1923 and lived at Heikant 26 in Zolder. As a young man, he was active in the Fabriekswacht and the Dietsche Militie – Zwarte Brigade. On 18 July 1941, he joined the Flemish Legion. Due to his excellent performance at the front, he was selected for officer training at the SS-Junkerschule in Bad Tölz, where he was promoted to the rank of Untersturmführer. He  served as an officer (Untersturmführer) in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Company, of the 6th SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade "Langemarck". Luc Bottu was killed in action on 26 July 1944 during the heavy fighting in Narva.

A letter from December 1943 by Kamiel Van den Bossche – Sturmbrigade Langemarck – Killed in action on 31 July 1944 in Narva. 

Flemish Waffen SS letter 19.06.1944 Ansbach

Flemish NSKK and OT letters 

A letter from Flemish NSKK Volunteer – Gustaaf Aerts (17–8–43) – Feldpostnr: L 44897/A7 –
NSKK Regiment 3.

Gustaaf Aerts was born on 01.07.1908, in Ramsel, and died on 12.03.1985, in Schriek. He served in the NSKK Regiment 3. He was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months. Staatsblad SB1950/06037. 

"Dear Comrade,

I'm still doing well here, and I'm still stuck in the same place in this rotten France. I hope the other comrades are doing well too, especially those in Russia who may already be at the front.
It's taking a very long time to get any news about the transfer to the DeVlag Motor Corps. I've already been waiting three months for that reassignment. I'd really like to get away from these Dutchmen, because things here in France are starting to get on my nerves. I would much rather be deployed to the East.

So I ask you, could you perhaps write regarding my transfer to the DeVlag Motor Corps? Maybe that would get things moving a bit faster.

Now, a good day to all my comrades and a firm greeting.

Heil Hitler

Flemish Volunteer NSKK Sturmmann Aerts Gustaaf
Feldp. L44897/A4 
Lg. pa Brussel" 

A letter from a Flemish NSKK Volunteer in Diest (Belgium) February 4, 1944.

During the war, the citadel of Diest was used by the Germans as a training school for the NSKK (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps). Flemish, Dutch, and even French volunteers were trained there as truck drivers. 

"Dear Comrade Jul,

You're probably surprised to receive a short letter from an NSKK man. I just received a note from our fine colleague Kamiel. It seems it was meant for you, so I'm going to send it to you.

You've probably once again heard, for so many times, that I was going. Yes, that thought has once again filled me with deep disappointment, and I've already ended up back in Diest. Soon I'll be gathering here again for the second time. This has truly let me down! I never would've thought that I'd contribute so little to this long and bitter struggle in the NSKK. So many have gone after me and have already accomplished far more than I have.

Now, there's one consolation I can still find: I don't see an end to the situation yet, and hopefully, before it's all over, I'll still get the chance to do my duty properly.

When I read letters like the one enclosed, it saddens me that I cannot stand by the side of such men. At least they can speak of a soldiers life and real experiences, even if they're only your age, they still show courage and fighting spirit. I have to admire such men. Their faith in victory is unshakable.

It's a shame there are so few like them left in Flanders, they are the ones you can rely on. That's why, once they've completed their duty and return to our homeland, they should serve as an example for everyone to make others bow their heads in respect.

With those thoughts, I close this short letter with a warm handshake and a greeting.

Heil Hitler"

A letter from Jan Lemmens, a Flemish volunteer in NSKK Regiment 4 – Field Post Number 10596 

Two letters from Leo, a Flemish OT (Organisation Todt) member in the Caucasus – Baustab Speer Ostbau OT

This unit on the Eastern Front had the primary function of planning and executing construction projects for both military and civilian infrastructure. These activities included the construction and maintenance of roads, railways, airfields, and fortifications, which were essential for the German war efforts on the Eastern Front. (In the second letter, it is mentioned that he is in the Caucasus.)