DeVlag reached the peak of 50,000 members in 1943. In late 1944, the Nazi leadership answered the demands of DeVlag by annexing Flanders and Wallonia into the German Reich, but this was more theoretical than actual, as Belgium had already been liberated by the advancing Allied forces. Van de Wiele was, however, given the title "National Leader of the Flemish people" ("Landsleider van het Vlaamsche volk") and DeVlag was deemed by the Germans as the sole party representing the Nazi unity in Flanders.