Blue Legion

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Spanische Legion of Volunteers (span.)
Legión Española de Voluntarios
Spanish Volunteer Legion
Blue Legion
Active November 17, 1943 – April 12, 1944
Country  Spain
Allegiance  Germany
Branch Balkenkreuz.svg Heer
Type Infantry
Size • 2.133 troops
Nickname(s) Legión Azul
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Francoist Spain Miguel Ezquerra

The Blue Legion (Spanish: Legión Azul, German: Blaue Division, was officially called the Legión Española de Voluntarios was created from 2,133 fascist volunteers who remained behind at the Eastern Front after most of the Spanish Blue Division had been repatriated in March 1944 because Francisco Franco had started negotiations with the western Allies. It officially consisted of two battalions. It was later estimated that the legion grew to over 18,000 Spaniards (44,000 in rotation). It was repatriated to Spain by November 1944, but again, many of them (around 3,000) remained to fight on the side of Nazi Germany until the German surrender in May 1945.

The 101st company Spanische-Freiwilligen Kompanie der SS 101 of 140 men, composed of four rifle platoons and one staff platoon, was attached to 28th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Wallonien and fought in Pomerania and Brandenburg province. Later, as part of 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland and under command of Hauptsturmführer der SS Miguel Ezquerra, it fought during the last days of the war against Soviet troops in the Battle of Berlin.

The troops bore the word ESPAÑA and a red/yellow/red horizontally striped shield worn on the upper right arm, and a helmet decal.

See also

References


External links