The creation of the "Franc-Garde" was announced on 30 January 1943 and it was deployed on 2 June of the same year in the Calabres camp near Vichy with Jean de Vaugelas serving as its commander. This group was successful in its recruitment because the volunteers were promised a salary of 3,600 francs. By 1944, the group had swelled to 131 mostly young fighting men. Once it saw action, the "Franc-Garde" became the most important connecting link to the "SS". Some of its members were also documented serving in the 1945 battle of Berlin, taking part in the defense of the city's government district.