In September 1944, the "Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne"", was formed. It was formed from the Legion of French Volunteers Against Bolshevism or LVF and the "SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade France". Joining them were French collaborators fleeing the Allied advance in the west, as well as Frenchmen from the German Navy, the NSKK, the "Organisation Todt" and the detested "Milice" security police. In February 1945, the "Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne"" was officially upgraded to a division and became known as the 33rd Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS "Charlemagne" (1st French).