World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseJosephus Alphonsus Marie François was a member of right wing parties Frontpartij, Verdinaso (becoming its leader in 1940), and finally Vlaams Nationaal Verbond (VNV). In the VNV, he commanded the party's militia organization Dietsche Militie. In Aug 1941, during the German occupation of Belgium, he joined the Algemeene-SS Vlaanderen; between Sep 1942 and Nov 1943 he was the unit's commanding officer at the rank of SS-Obersturmführer. He saw combat on the Eastern Front with the Belgian SS unit, fighting as a part of 27th SS Volunteer Division Langemarck. After WW2, he was found guilty of treason and was given a death sentence, which was later commuted to life imprisonment. He was released in 1952. He continued to be involved in far right wing activities for some years after his release. François passed away in 1996.

Jef François Timeline