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Geurts, Julius "Juul"

    Date of birth:
    February 24th, 1923 (Waterschei, Belgium)
    Date of death:
    January 9th, 1943 (Near Leningrad, USSR)
    Buried on:
    Soviet War Cemetery Krasnoye Selo
    Nationality:
    Belgian (1830-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

    Biography

    Julius Geurts was the fourth child of seven from a millers family in Belgian Flanders. His family was very Flamish Nationalist. After the Germans occupied Belgium, he was influenced by the Nationalist "Dietse Brigade". This organisation wanted to unite Flanders and the Nedtherlands in on country called "Dietsland", within the German Empire.

    On August 6th 1941 he was one of the first to volunteer for the Flamish Legion within the Waffen-SS. Here he was placed with the 2.Kompanie of Breymann. Julius Geurts is called to be the first Flamish recipient of the Iron Cross 1st Class.

    Julius Geurts died when he accidently stepped on a German landmine.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Sturmmann
    Unit:
    2.Kompanie
    Awarded on:
    March 20th, 1942
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Sturmmann
    Unit:
    2.Kompanie / Freiwillige Legion Flandern
    Awarded on:
    July 5th, 1942
    Together with Infanterie Strum Abzeichen, awarded on July 5th 1942 at Raglitza by General-Oberst Lindemann.
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Sturmmann
    Unit:
    2.Kompanie / Freiwillige Legion Flandern
    Awarded on:
    July 5th, 1942
    Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Vlaamse Legioen
    • Photo: Postcard Flamish Legion
    • - Family Records

    Photo