33rd Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Charlemagne (1st French), or SS Charlemagne, was an all-French Waffen-SS unit during the Second World War. It was formed in 1944 when all French personnel in the German army, primarily from the Légion des Volontaires Français contre le Bolchévisme (LVF), were placed under the command of the SS. With an estimated strength of 7,000+ at its peak, SS Charlemagne was reduced to only ~330 men by the time of the Battle of Berlin. During the German defence of Berlin Charlemagne was attached to SS Nordland (consisting of Scandinavian SS volunteers). The members of Charlemagne would be among the last defending the Fuhrerbunker and the Reichstag but there efforts were ultimately in vain. Reduced to fewer than 60 men, the remnants of Charlemagne surrendered to forces of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies.
I'm going by the chart in the reference book for Axis uniforms and equipment I have. L/Cpl insignia include one stripe on the bottom of the collar patch (one side), piping (no braiding) on the shoulder straps, and one chevron on the arm.
I'm going by the chart in the reference book for Axis uniforms and equipment I have. L/Cpl insignia
