Born as a result of endless political maneuvers, the Legion des Volontaires Francais (LVF, French Volunteer Legion) started the recruitment of men by July 7th, 1941. The ambiguous attitude of the Vichy government toward this unit made this recruitment slower and far less productive than expected. Besides, a number of volunteers were rejected as the Germans had instructions that the LVF was to be a small unit so as not to give a mistaken impression about the importance of a defeated France in the new Europe.

Those accepted were mainly members of the right wing parties which had supported the formation of the LVF; others were veterans of the Legion Etrangere (Foreign Legion) of White Russian, Georgian, and Armenian origin, Arab and Black colonials, or veterans of the Spanish Civil War, either from the "Jeanne d'Arc" banner (Nationalist) or disenchanted ex-International Brigade members (Republican).

In Versailles this heterogeneous group started the organization of the first two battalions of the LVF by 27 August under command of a low quality officer group, the best French officers remaining in the Armistice Army of Vichy.

Between 4 September and 12 October, three contingents (I/LVF, II/LVF and weapons companies) were sent for training in Deba (Poland) where they would meet their future commander: Colonel Roger Laborme, a courageous veteran of WWI with great experience in commanding colonial troops, but too old (60) and ill prepared for the hard conditions of the Russian Front.

The LVF would become the Franzosisches Vestartktes Infanterie Regiment 638 (French Reinforced Infantry Regiment 638; reinforced only in name as it would be deployed as a light regiment with only two battalions) of the German Army. The unit swore fidelity to Adolf Hitler, but only as overall commander of forces fighting against communism, by 5 October. The French volunteers already wore the German uniform, not without great reluctance and even a few resignations.

After hasty and incomplete training, the 2,352 men of the LVF started their travel to Smolensk by the end of October. The LVE, attached to the 7th German Infantry Division, would reach the front just in time for the last attempt to take Moscow under the harsh conditions of the Russian winter.

The I/LVF entered the line 24 November, in front of Djukovo, between the German 19 and 61 Infantry Regiments. The baptism of fire was received two days later, during an attempt to take Djukovo to prepare the advance towards Kubinka. The I/LVF performed poorly, but the depleted Germans performed no better.

The attack was renewed by 1 December with more success, with the I/LVF capturing twelve bunkers and inflicting substantial enemy losses; nevertheless, its own losses were also high: 12 dead and 55 wounded. II/LVF entered the line left of I/LVF just after this attack. During the first week of December, the French volunteers fought courageously in a series of small engagements, but showed the alarming problems of novice units.

The Russian counterattack started the night of 5 December. Positions of I/LVF were penetrated in several points, and the battalion was so mauled that it was withdrawn after only a few hours of combat. The II/LVF would resist until the 8th. In just two weeks the LVF had been decimated and its losses amounted to 150 in combat and another 300 frozen. Such losses were far higher than those of neighboring German units and must be attributed not only to lack of experience but also to the very poor quality of the officers commanding the unit.

The LVF was withdrawn to Smolensk, arriving by 9 January, to be attached to the 403rd Sicherungs (Security) Division. Only 1,096 legionnaires reached Smolensk; the rest had fallen in battle, were taken prisoner, or had deserted. The LVF was accordingly reorganized, discharging officers, reducing battalions from three to two companies, and adding Russian aides. After a short period carrying out security duties in the rear area and having finished the worst moments of the Soviet counteroffensive, the LVF was considered a null combat capability unit, so it was withdrawn to Poland in mid February.

In Poland, both existing battalions were merged into one while III/LVF was formed with new recruits from France. After a great purge of undesired elements, the 638 Regiment was disbanded and transformed into two independent battalions: I/LVF (750 men) and III/LVF (624 men). A very intense period of training would raise both battalions to the German standard, and III/LVF was sent to its anti-partisan area of operations by mid May 1942, being followed by I/ LVF in July.

The French volunteers would not return to front line duty until 1944, this time with success, to earn the prestige the LVF was unable to attain, being the worst regarded of the eight foreign units of the Wehrmacht in 1941-1942. But this is another story out of the scope of Guderian's Blitzkrieg II.

LVF Order of Battle

638 Infantry Regiment
HQ Company
Engineer Section
Recon Section (bicycle)
Communications Section

1st Battalion (I/LVF)

1st, 2nd and 3rd Fusilier Companies
4th Support Weapons Company (3 x MG-34; 1 x 80mm mortar sections)

2nd Battalion (II/LVF)

5th , 6th and 7th Fusilier Companies
8th Support Weapons Company (3 x MG-34; 1 x 80mm mortar sections)