"The Brits who fought for Hitler"

Filming with Ch.5

August 9/10th 2002

Preparation wise this project was the worst nightmare for Hscha. Meyer and myself as the film Co. Changed their minds on requirements two or three times a day, every day over a period of a couple of weeks. However, it eventually all came together and what was originally to be the Half track, Opel Blitz, Staff car and 25 men ended up with just 10 men and no vehicles. However, the film Co. Were most amicable and in true SBG tradition we did our best and the end result with the meagre budget was nothing short of amazing. The story follows the recruitment of British captured troops into the Waffen - SS who then fought on the Russian front and in and around Berlin.

The story is from historian Adrian Weal's excellent book “ Renegades “. The site was Sopley Camp in Dorset, a camp that the SBG last used in 1995 and was excellent for a location. Initially the SBG dressed as captured Brit Tommies and thrown into pretty appalling camp conditions. Eventually they were cajoled, bribed or enticed into joining the Waffen - SS by being either beaten up, offered better camp conditions, prostitutes and various other means. Poor young Obergren. Belke was first propositioned by a prostitute and then thrown into a large puddle and roughed up good and proper by Rttf’s Schnieder and Wilks who looked the part of German “ Bullies “. Eventually the Brits decide to join the newly formed British Free Corps and it was a good job Stscha. Seigel was present as we were not told that the BFC actually used British drill instead of German !. Once again the SBG adapted perfectly and within minutes were marching perfectly like Brit Tommies around the camp. No longer will I be impressed by Brit re-enactors and their drill !. Stscha. Siegel and Uscha. Speidel played the parts of high ranking British traitors who helped to talk the prisoners into joining the BFC and after various other scenes were filmed there was an excellent and most authentic scene shot at night in the pouring rain with the BFC on the Russian front. The effects of the rain and parachute flares dropping in the background was most atmospheric . In the evenings the usual SBG social evenings ensued and Stscha. Siegel adopted a new song of “ Three Lions on their shirt“. Thus ended another successful campaign for the SBG and once again a most unusual story line !.