Christian Frederik von Schalburg is one of the most hated people in Danish history. His name is intrinsically linked to some of the worst trangressions against the Danes during the occupation. But is Schalburg's reputation fair? And why did a Danish patriot who believed in God, King, and Fatherland become a Nazi and traitor?

Christian Frederik von Schalburg was born on 15th April 1906 in Zmeinogorsk in the Russian Empire. He was baptised as Konstantin Feodorovitch Schalburg in the Russian Orthodox Church, but his father also added him to the Danish Evangelical-Lutheran Church under the name Christian Frederik Schalburg - the "von" was adopted after contact with his German family in the late 1920s, but never used consistently. His Danish father and Ukrainian mother were nobles and personal friends of the Tsar family and moved to Tsarskoye Selo close to the Tsar in 1914. Schalburg was part of the Tsar's Cadet Corps. In 1917, the family fled to Denmark due to the Russian Revolution, and lost all their valuables. In 1924, Schalburg converted to the Russian Orthodox Church under his Russian name and with Grand Duchess Olga as his Godmother. Schalburg started studying Medicine in 1924, but stopped after two years to pursue a military career. In May 1925, he started as a private in the Royal Life Guard. From October 1925 to April 1926 he was at the Infantry Cornet School, where he graduated as 68/68. Despite his terrible grades, he was described as a good teacher and leader at his following unit. In October 1927, he was accepted at the Royal Danish Military Academy, as 20/23, and finished as 24/24 in May 1929. In October 1929, he married the Danish-German noble Helga Frederikke Freiin von Bülow, who he had met during a ball at the military academy. Schalburg attended various military school in 1930-33, where he excelled at teaching. In November 1934, Schalburg became chief of 2nd Company in the Royal Life Guard. The Danish Royal Life Guard traditionally had connections to the Russian Tsars and protected the Russian nobles in Danish exile following the revolution. Schalburg likely got to serve in the prestigious and popular Royal Life Guard, despite his terrible grades, based on personal connections to the Danish Royal House and officers in the Royal Life Guard. During his time in the Royal Guards, Schalburg criticised how the Danish Army had become too obsessed with blind Prussian discipline, and instead promoted subordinates understanding the reasons behind orders. He also established traditions in the Guard, which he would later carry on to Free Corps Denmark, such as dramatic bonfires speeches where he would talk about history and mythology. In 1938, Schalburg joined the Danish National Socialist Workers' Party (DNSAP) and became the leader of the National Socialist Youth (NSU) in 1939. Schalburg volunteered to help Finland in the Winter War in 1939 together with a group of young men from NSU nicknamed "the Blood Boys". He commanded the 2nd Company with Emil Lassen as his deputy - father of the Danish commando Anders Lassen, VC, MC. The Danish Finland Battalion did not see combat, since the skill level of the men was too low on arrivial in Finland and armistice came before their training finished. This meant, that Schalburg wasn't in Denmark during the occupation on 9th April 1940. He attempted to rally the Danish Finland Battalion to fight the Germans, either in Denmark or Norway, but the other officers did not agree. He considered sabotage against the Germans honourless, since peace had been settled and Denmark cooperated with Germany. Schalburg wasn't pro-German at the time, due to the wars both Denmark and Russia had fought against them, but saw German occupation as a natural reaction to a weak northern flank. Instead, he blamed the Danish Social Democrats and Radicals and their disarmament policies for the occupation. In September 1940, Schalburg volunteered for the Waffen-SS. In June 1941, Schalburg served in the staff of SS-Division "Wiking" as SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain) during the attack on the Soviet Union, where he was considered a good leader. In 1941, prior to the formation of Free Corps Denmark, Schalburg suggested forming a Danish volunteer unit called "Regiment Dannebrog" to Frits Clausen, the leader of DNSAP. On 1st March 1942, Schalburg took command of Free Corps Denmark after C.P. Kryssing, now ranked as SS-Sturmbannführer (Major). Schalburg implemented the thoughts of Felix Steiner he had experienced in SS-Division "Wiking" to Free Corps Denmark. He introduced more physical training, lessons in German and Russian, and much training to familiarise the soldiers with their vehicles. This change in command meant Free Corps Denmark became more National Socialist, rather than purely anti-Communist like initially promised. On 8th May 1942, he deployed to the Demyansk Pocket with Free Corps Denmark. He died during an attack with Free Corps Denmark on 2nd June 1942.

Published by the DR in 2014.