Flemish SS Volunteers Undergo Instruction in the use of Kar98k Rifle

In these five photographs, Flemish volunteers undergo instruction in the use of the German Mauser Kar98k rifle under the watchful eye of junior SS officers and NCO. Political indoctrination, physical fitness, drill on the parade ground, sports and field exercises, skill with weapons and a smart turn out were all part of the daily routine inculcated into an SS recruit, aimed at producing as an end result an efficient, smart and fully trained soldier. Weapon training was an essential aspect of a recruit's life. The handling, stripping, cleaning, re-assembling and actual firing of all personal weapons played an important part in his daily routine.

Training of SS Artillery Team

Recruits, either Germans, racial Germanic types or of Nordic stock, entering the Waffen-SS underwent a very rigorous training programme designed by the SS authorities to produce very efficient fighting material. This photograph show SS instructors look on as a team of recruits manhandle a heavy, wheeled artillery gun on their training ground, 6 March 1941