Trivia

Was a Walloon Belgian politician, and founder of the Rexist movement in 1930.

Received a Knights Cross (Ritterkreuze), directly from Adolf Hitler himself, and Degrelle later claimed, that Hitler told him "if I had a son, I wish he'd resemble you".

The later addition of Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross, has only been awarded to 2 other foreigners during WW2. Degrelle is only 1 of 3 recipients.

After Germany's defeat, Degrelle fled to Denmark and eventually Norway, where he commandeered a Heinkel He 111 aircraft, allegedly provided by Albert Speer. He crash landed in San Sebastián, in Northern Spain.

Was condemned to death "in absentia" by firing squad in Belgium for his role as a collaborator.

Was in Mexico up until 1934 during the Cristero War, as a correspondent for Christus Rex, a conservative Catholic publication.

Within 3.5 years of active combat duty, Léon Degrelle, started as a Private and ended up as a General, and the last commander of the 28th SS Batallion Wallonien in his tenure.

Went from Private to General of his own battalion in less than 4 years of combat.

Leon Degrelle was involved in over 75 hand to hand combat situations and critically wounded 6 times during WW2. And despite his injuries, he would still lead his men forward.

Of the original 800 Wallons that fought for Germany, only 3 survived--among them was Degrelle.

Despite his name being obscure in many history books, he was in fact one of the regional governors of his people in French Speaking Belgium and given the title of Gauleiter.