Rare Original Signed Léon Degrelle Photograph – Walloon Legion Oath Ceremony – Dedicated to José Dohet, Sister of KIA Adjudant Camille Dohet (1941)

An exceptionally rare original wartime photograph depicting the oath-taking ceremony of the Légion Wallonie (373rd Walloon Infantry Battalion) during its training period in Meseritz, Germany, in 1941. With original signature of Leon Degrelle on the front en writing on the reverse!

The image captures a German general passing the leaders of the Wallonian Legion including Leon Degrelle (see red circle).

The reverse bears a scarce handwritten dedication and signature by Léon Degrelle, dated 21 September 1941, reading:

“À José Dohet, de la part de son frère Léon Degrelle. Fait en campagne contre les Soviets. Le 21 septembre 1941.”

The dedication was made to José Dohet, the sister of Adjudant Camille Dohet, who served as a Chef de peloton (Platoon Leader) in the 3rd Company of the 373rd Walloon Infantry Battalion. Camille Dohet was later killed in action at Gromovaja-Balka on 28 February 1942, making this a poignant wartime keepsake sent to his family while he was still serving on the Eastern Front.

This photograph therefore combines several highly desirable collecting aspects:

• Original wartime photograph of the Walloon Legion oath ceremony.
• Original handwritten dedication and signature by Léon Degrelle.
• Direct association with the family of Adjudant Camille Dohet, a documented platoon leader of the 3rd Company who was killed in action in early 1942.
• Dated from the Eastern Front during the Legion’s first campaign against the Soviet Union.
• Degrelle is in the picture in Wehrmacht uniform

An outstanding historical and research piece with exceptional provenance, linking one of the best-known ceremonial photographs of the Walloon Legion directly to the family of a fallen officer of the battalion.

Condition

Very good original condition with light age wear. Reverse retains the original handwritten dedication and signature by Léon Degrelle.