Biography

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.