Member of a Flemish SS Unit at Fort Breendonk Prison Camp

Portrait of a member of a Flemish Schutzstaffel (SS) unit who served as a prison guard at Fort Breendonk prison camp, now interred at the same camp following its liberation by Allied forces. Shortly after the Belgians surrendered to the Germans, the Germans transformed Fort Breendonk into a prison camp. On 20 September 1940 the first prisoners arrived. Initially, the prisoners were petty criminals, people deemed anti-social, or violators of the new race laws. Later on, resistance fighters, political prisoners and innocent hostages were detained as well. Another section of the camp was used as a transit camp for Jews being sent to death camps in the east such as Auschwitz. After the camp’s liberation by the British in late 1944, it was briefly used as an internment camp for Belgian collaborators with the Nazi occupiers. This period of Breendonk’s existence is known as “Breendonk II”. The internees were later moved to Dossin Barracks in Mechelen on 10 October 1944. Fort Breendonk, Breendonk, Province of Antwerp, Belgium. September 1944. Image taken by George Rodger.  

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Flemish SS Recruits in Light Mortar Training

Flemish recruits undergoing training in the use of a light mortar. They are devoid of shoulder straps and collar patches, presumably because these recruits have not yet passed out as trained members of the Flemish SS Legion. The two-man mortar team is protected by a third man, who armed with a rifle, is there to give covering fire if required.

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.

Flemish SS Volunteers Take a Break during Field Exercise

Flemish SS volunteers take a break during a field exercise. Their rifles are clearly shown stacked in groups of three or four in the traditional manner that kept them neatly in one position and allowed for their rapid recovery whilst at the same time keeping the important working parts of the weapon off the ground and away from dirt and damp

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 3)

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 Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. Taking whatever cover a shallow depression affords them, the crew set up their MG as stealthily as possible. The gunner pulls the MG into its firing position whilst the No.2, who has already opened the lid of the ammunition container, starts to observe his front through his binoculars. It was the task of No.2 to observe, usually through field glasses, the target ahead and to direct the fire of the MG onto the enemy.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 2)

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 Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. They are spring up from their prone positions and start to cover the open ground as quickly as possible. At this moment they are most exposed to enemy counter fire.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 1)

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 Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. Here, the No.2, armed with a Luger pistol, awaits the moment to dash forward to his next position. The Maschinengewehr 40 (MG 40) was carried by the gunner, the No.1, whilst spare ammunition, contained in its carrying case, and an extra machine gun barrel, carried in a special metal container, were both carried by the No.2