Goebbels’ 1941 propaganda campaign, portraying Germany’s invasion of the USSR as a battle for European civilization against Asian barbarism, swayed many men in occupied ‘Germanic’ European countries, including Scandinavia and the Low Countries, to volunteer for the Eastern Front.

One of the most robust national legions was formed in the Netherlands, backed by a substantial pro-Nazi movement under Anton Mussert. The 3,000-strong Netherlands Volunteer Legion fought on the Leningrad front as a regiment, from the Red Army’s winter 1941⁄42 counter-offensive until April 1943. The remaining soldiers were then reinforced into a 5,500-strong Panzergrenadier Brigade. After anti-partisan operations in Croatia, they rejoined Army Group North as part of Steiner’s III SS Panzer Korps, enduring intense battles from 1943–44 until pushed back into Pomerania. In the war’s final months, the division became the foundation of the new 23rd SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division ‘Nederland’.

This illustrated study by Massimiliano Afiero explores the complete history of the Dutch Waffen-SS Legion and Brigade, from its creation in 1941 until its integration into the ‘Nederland’ Division in 1944. Contemporary photographs and full-colour illustrations complement the text, revealing crucial details about uniforms and insignia.