Description
23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division “Nederland” Brief History
The 23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division “Nederland” was a German Waffen-SS division composed primarily of Dutch volunteers. Formed in February 1945, it originated from the SS Volunteer Legion Netherlands, established in 1941. The division aimed to serve the Nazi cause by including volunteers from occupied countries.
Initially, it fought on the Eastern Front, suffering heavy casualties. By late 1944, it was reorganised into a division and engaged in battles primarily in the Courland Pocket and later in the Pomeranian Offensive. Despite their efforts, the division faced overwhelming forces and dwindling supplies. In May 1945, as the war neared its end, remnants of the division surrendered to the Allies in Northern Germany. The division’s creation and actions remain a contentious and tragic aspect of Dutch history during World War II.
