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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 9:58:49 GMT
In 1930, Léon Degrelle founded the Rexist Party in Belgium. Rexism called for a reformation of Belgian society in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic Church, but in a fascist form of government. Léon Degrelle In 1935-36, the Catholic Church cut ties with the Rexists over their increasingly close ties with Hitler and Mussolini. The Rexists began receiving monetary support from Germany and Italy, to the tune of approximately 2 million lire and 100,000 marks in 1936 alone. Flag of the Rexist Party In the 1936 elections, the Rexists reached the peak of their power, claiming 21 deputies and 12 senators in the Belgian elections. To raise funds for the election, the Rexists published these cinderellas featuring Degrelle. Léon Degrelle Cinderella The cinderellas were sold in booklets of 10. Booklet front Booklet back Booklet inside featuring a pane of 10
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:00:12 GMT
With the violation of Belgian neutrality by the Nazis on 10 May 1940, the Rexist Party split over the matter of resistance. Many Rexists went underground and began resisting the German occupation. Others, most notably Degrelle, sided with the Germans. Degrelle was arrested for collaborating with the Germans and was evacuated to France, where he was eventually released by the Germans. Upon his release, he returned to Belgium and joined the Walloon Legion of the Wehrmacht, which was formed by Belgians from the Walloon region to fight against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. Degrelle would eventually rise to the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel), and become one of only two foreigners to be awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. Walloon Legion Recruitment Flyer This recruitment flyer reads as follows: Front"All people of Europe have a supreme duty to participate in the fight for the destiny of Europe. This participation is not only a duty in the common interest of the European way of life and the preservation of our people, but is also for the rank and dignity of all the people of the new Europe that will be borne of this crisis. By order of the Führer, the Walloon Legion, which has fought valiantly on all fronts in the East, is incorporated into the formations of the Waffen SS." Inside - Left"In order to permit active participation of Walloons, the SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was created. It will be an elite group, equipped with the most modern weapons and equipment perfect in all points of view. Enlist in large numbers! The day is near, or you will be proud to have been part of this formation of honor, wearing the glorious cross of Burgundy on your collar. If you are brave, if you have a sense of responsibility, if you are able to bear arms, if you are willing to foght for your native land and Europe against Bolshevism, commit to the SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien (Motorized)." Inside - Right"For information on pay, benefits, special supplies for family, insurance, etc., please contact the Ersatzkommando Wallonien der Waffen-SS, at 10 Congress Street, Brussels, and in all recruitment offices." BackOn the back is a form to be filled out by the recruit, then detached and mailed to the address on the reverse (Ersatzkommando Wallonien der Waffen-SS, at 10 Congress Street, Brussels). The form asks for the enlistee's name, birthplace, address, and profession.
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:01:21 GMT
On 10 April 1942, a set of Walloon Legion cinderellas was issued to serve a dual purpose -- as propaganda, and to raise funds to help support the legion. Michel I Sheetlet Michel II Sheetlet Michel III Sheetlet Michel IV Sheetlet
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:01:45 GMT
About a half-dozen varieties exist where the red color was printed incorrectly (or not at all). Michel III F Sheetlet (missing red printing)
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:02:18 GMT
The cinderella sheets can also be found imperf, but they're much, much rarer (Michel CV €6,000 for the imperf, versus €550 for the perf). Michel I U Sheetlet Michel II U Sheetlet Michel III U Sheetlet Michel IV U Sheetlet
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:03:05 GMT
In addition, Ministerblocks of these issues were printed. Michel lists two varieties -- (1) a 146x211mm sheet, and (2) a 145x198mm sheet with "A Leon Degrelle, Chef de Rex" inscription. The Ministerblock from my collection is an unlisted third variety -- 145x198mm, but without the inscription. Ministerblock
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Post by PostmasterGS on Mar 23, 2014 10:03:36 GMT
At the end of the war, Degrelle fled to Denmark and Norway, where he then commandeered a Heinkel He 111 aircraft and fled to Spain. Franco's government refused to turn over Degrelle for extradition, even going so far as to allow him to escape from the hospital where he was staying while handing over a look-alike. In 1954, Spain granted him Spanish citizenship under the name José León Ramírez Reina. Belgium convicted him of treason in absentia and condemned him to death by firing squad.
Degrelle would remain in Spain until his death in 1994.
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Mar 28, 2014 4:20:41 GMT
Yet another showing of items I've never had any knowledge of before, as well as a fine history lesson - excellent stuff once again.
Ryan
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