During World War II, Spain maintained a stance of neutrality. However, the Spanish government, led by the fascist regime of Francisco Franco, showed a clear inclination towards the Axis powers. This was largely due to Germany’s support during the Spanish Civil War. As a result, Spain allowed its citizens to volunteer for the German army, forming a unit known as the Blue Division.
The Blue Division, officially called the División Española de Voluntarios, was primarily composed of Spanish volunteers who were members of the fascist party, known as Phalangists. These volunteers harbored a strong animosity towards communism, viewing their participation as a crusade against the Soviet Union, which had supported the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. Additionally, some volunteers were coerced into joining due to past affiliations with the Republicans or threats to their families. A few volunteers also came from Portugal.
The first group of 17,924 volunteers, led by General Muñoz Grandes, departed from Madrid on July 13, 1941. They were trained in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, and became the 250th Infantry Division of the German army. The division was named the Blue Division due to the blue shirts worn by the Spanish fascists.
Initially, the Spanish volunteers were to undergo the same training as German recruits. However, the Spanish government expedited their training, fearing the war might end before they could participate. Many volunteers were veterans of the Spanish Civil War, with a significant number of officers and non-commissioned officers having professional military experience. Despite this, they were unprepared for the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front.
The Blue Division was equipped with German weapons and uniforms, distinguished only by a shield with Spanish national colors and the word “España” on their sleeves. After pledging allegiance to Adolf Hitler, they were sent to Suwalki, Poland, and then marched approximately 900 kilometers to join the German 16th Army near Leningrad.
Initially underestimated by the Germans, the Blue Division quickly proved their mettle in combat. Known for their fierce fighting spirit, they earned the nickname “bridegrooms of death” and adopted the battle cry “Viva la muerte” or “Long live death.” They participated in 21 major battles, enduring extreme cold, hunger, and disease.
One notable mission was in January 1942, when a ski company attempted to relieve German units south of Lake Ilmen. Marching in temperatures of minus 40 degrees, only 12 of the original 206 men arrived ready to fight. Similar losses occurred in January 1943 at Pochilok and later at Krasny Bor, where they faced relentless Soviet attacks.
By 1943, international pressure, particularly from Britain and the Catholic Church, pushed Spain to recall the Blue Division. Negotiations with Germany led to the withdrawal of most volunteers by October 1943. However, some remained, forming the Blue Legion to continue fighting against communism. As the war’s outcome became evident, Franco ordered the remaining volunteers to return in March 1944. A few die-hard members joined other German units, including the Waffen-SS, fighting until the fall of Berlin.
Throughout their service, over 45,000 Spanish soldiers fought on the Eastern Front, with 4,500 killed and 16,000 wounded or captured. The last prisoners were released in 1954. The Blue Division received numerous awards, including three Knight’s Crosses with Oak Leaves and over 2,000 Iron Crosses. Spain also honored them with the Medal of the Russian Campaign for their support of Nazi Germany.
Research the formation, training, and combat experiences of the Blue Division during WWII. Prepare a 10-minute presentation to share your findings with the class, focusing on the motivations of the volunteers and the impact of their involvement on Spain’s international relations.
Participate in a debate on whether Spain’s decision to maintain neutrality while allowing the Blue Division to fight was justified. Consider the political, social, and economic implications of this stance. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a structured debate with your peers.
Analyze maps of the Eastern Front during WWII to trace the movements and battles of the Blue Division. Identify key locations and discuss how geographical factors influenced their military engagements and challenges faced during the harsh winter conditions.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you assume the roles of Spanish, German, and Allied diplomats negotiating the withdrawal of the Blue Division. Discuss the pressures and strategies involved in these negotiations and how they reflect the broader geopolitical landscape of the time.
Write a reflective essay on the legacy of the Blue Division and how it is remembered in Spain today. Consider the perspectives of veterans, historians, and the general public. Discuss how this legacy influences Spain’s historical narrative and its relationship with WWII.
This video was made possible by our sponsor, Warpath, a real-time strategy game inspired by the events of World War II. If you’re a fan of history, you’ll love the stories inspired by real battles and events, such as the beach landings at Normandy on D-Day and the defense of Moscow. Learn real facts about tanks used in these legendary battles while you upgrade your realistic World War II units and weapons for decisive victories.
Did you know the Sherman Firefly was an upgraded Sherman with a 17-pounder anti-tank gun that could penetrate Tiger tank armor? You can be as involved as you want—micromanage your troops or send them headlong into battle to fend for themselves. The choice is yours, Commander! With epic storylines, massive maps, and the ability to forge alliances with other leaders, drive your army to victory with this gripping in-depth gameplay experience, learning real military facts along the way. Download and play Warpath using the link in the description. Inspire your troops and lead them to victory; you are in command now!
Now, let’s discuss where neutral Spain fought in World War II. The Blue Division was the Spanish volunteer unit of the German army. Although Spain was a neutral state during World War II, its fascist regime favored the Axis powers. For that reason, they allowed Spanish citizens to volunteer to join the fight. This was also a way for Spain’s fascist leader, Franco, to show his gratitude to Germany for its assistance during the Spanish Civil War. The only condition Franco set was that volunteers would only be allowed to fight on the Eastern Front to avoid any confrontation with the Western Allies.
Most of the volunteers were already members of the Spanish fascist party and were known as Phalangists. These men had a deep hatred of communism, so fighting against the Red Army would be a crusade for them and a way to pay back for the Soviet interference in the Spanish Civil War. A small percentage of volunteers were men who were forced to enlist—those who had collaborated with the Republicans during the Civil War or whose families were in danger from the regime. There were also a number of fascist volunteers from the neighboring country of Portugal.
All combined, they formed the unit officially known as the División Española de Voluntarios, but more commonly referred to as the Blue Division because of the blue shirts they wore in association with the Spanish fascists. The first batch of 17,924 volunteers, led by General Muñoz Grandes, left Madrid on July 13, 1941. They were transferred to a training camp in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, where they became the 250th Infantry Division of the German army.
The Spanish army division consisted of four regiments, while a German division had only three, so one regiment had to be disbanded, and its soldiers dispersed among the other units. These three divisions were named after cities from which most of the volunteers came: Regiment 262 was named Barcelona, Regiment 263 Valencia, and Regiment 269 Seville.
In Grafenwöhr, the idea was for the Spanish volunteers to follow the same training regime as the German recruits. However, in July 1941, the Spanish government feared that the war in the East could be over before their volunteers had finished training, so they authorized a fast-track training program for the recruits, meaning they could be sent to the front as soon as possible. Fortunately, most of the volunteers were experienced veterans of the Spanish Civil War, and at least 50 percent of the officers and NCOs were professional soldiers with combat experience. However, none of them were prepared for the harsh climate and conditions on the Eastern Front that they were about to encounter.
Being officially part of the Wehrmacht, soldiers of the Blue Division were equipped with the same weapons as the German troops and wore the same uniforms and equipment. In combat, soldiers of the Blue Division wore the standard German feldgrau uniform, with the only difference being the shield badge with Spanish national colors and the inscription “España” sewn on the upper right sleeve. The same shield was also painted on the right-hand side of their helmets. Behind the lines or when on leave, soldiers of the Blue Division were allowed to wear their own specially made uniforms, which consisted of khaki trousers, a blue shirt, and a red beret.
After taking an oath of allegiance in front of Adolf Hitler, soldiers of the Blue Division were sent by train to the town of Suwalki in Poland. From there, they continued on foot for about 560 miles (approximately 900 kilometers) to the Army Group Center, where they were to join the campaign to attack Moscow. This march was one of the longest in the entire war. Once they reached Vitebsk in Belarus, the Blue Division was reassigned to Army Group North, which was heading towards Leningrad, and became part of the German 16th Army.
Initially, the Germans thought that the Spanish volunteers, known as “güiripas” or conscripts, were just an undisciplined rabble, as they refused to practice drills, clean their weapons, or obey orders, seeming more interested in chasing local women and enjoying themselves. However, once they engaged in combat, they demonstrated that they were brutal and ruthless soldiers who would neither ask for nor give any quarter and would rarely surrender, preferring to fight to the death. This gave rise to Muñoz Grandes calling them his “bridegrooms of death,” and their battle cry was “Viva la muerte” or “Long live death.” They soon became respected by the Germans and feared by the Russians, who dreaded going into battle against them.
Fighting in the northwest of Russia, the soldiers of the Blue Division experienced the true horror of life and death on the Eastern Front. They participated in 21 major battles and numerous smaller conflicts, suffering not only from battle fatigue but also from hunger, disease, poor hygiene, and extremely cold weather. An example of the losses suffered by the Blue Division was the action conducted by the ski company in January 1942, with orders to relieve German units that were cut off south of Lake Ilmen. The Spanish soldiers set off on a march in temperatures of minus 40 degrees. After wading through waist-deep snow and crossing icy rivers, only 12 of the original 206 men arrived in a state fit to fight.
A similar number of casualties were suffered by the second battalion that was sent to the village of Pochilok in January 1943 to help defend the Leningrad front from Soviet penetration. On January 22nd, they arrived at the village in a convoy of trucks, but after enduring a constant Soviet bombardment for six days, only 28 men had survived. The same thing happened a few weeks later at Krasny Bor, where a detachment of the Spanish volunteers was wiped out by Soviet artillery and masked infantry assaults.
At the same time, the Spanish government was being pressured into repatriating the volunteers back to Spain, facing British demands for complete neutrality and pressure from Catholic Church leaders from all over Spain. In the spring of 1943, the Spanish authorities began negotiations with Germany regarding the recall of the volunteers from the Eastern Front. The Germans were not happy with the proposal, but on October 14, 1943, an order was given to all Blue Division volunteers to return home. Even though the majority of soldiers welcomed the decision, many of them refused to return, driven by an overwhelming urge to continue their fight against the hated communists. They formed the so-called Blue Legion, which also helped to appease Hitler by maintaining a Spanish presence on the Eastern Front. The strength of this unit was around 3,000 men.
As it became increasingly clear where the outcome of the hostilities was heading, Franco ordered these men to also return to Spain in March 1944. Only the most fanatical remained, and these men were incorporated into other German units, including the Waffen-SS, and continued to fight until the fall of Berlin. During the four years of engagement, more than 45,000 Spanish soldiers saw service on the Eastern Front. Of that number, 4,500 were killed, while 16,000 were either wounded or ended up in POW camps. The last Blue Division prisoners of war were released from the Soviet Union in 1954.
During their campaign on the Eastern Front during World War II, the officers and men of the Blue Division were rewarded with three Knight’s Crosses with Oak Leaves, three German Crosses in Gold, 138 Iron Crosses First Class, 2,359 Iron Crosses Second Class, and War Merit Crosses with Swords. Additionally, the Third Reich commissioned the Spanish Volunteer Medal on January 3, 1944, and awarded it to all 47,000 volunteers who had served on the Eastern Front. Nationalist Spain also awarded the volunteers a medal, the Medalla de Campaña de Rusia, or the Medal of the Russian Campaign, in recognition of their support to Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
Neutrality – The policy or status of a nation that does not participate in a war between other nations. – During World War II, Switzerland maintained its neutrality, avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
Volunteers – Individuals who freely offer to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task, often without pay. – Many volunteers joined the Red Cross during the war to provide medical assistance to soldiers and civilians.
Fascism – A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader. – The rise of fascism in Europe during the early 20th century led to significant political and social upheaval.
Communism – A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally. – The spread of communism in Eastern Europe after World War II significantly altered the political landscape of the region.
Training – The process of learning the skills necessary for a particular job or activity, especially in a military context. – The rigorous training of soldiers was crucial for preparing them for the challenges of combat during the war.
Combat – Active fighting in a war. – The soldiers were engaged in intense combat for several weeks during the Battle of the Somme.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can be seen in modern legal systems and architectural styles.
Division – A military unit large enough to sustain combat operations independently, typically consisting of several brigades or regiments. – The 101st Airborne Division played a crucial role in the D-Day invasion during World War II.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army, especially those who are not officers. – The soldiers displayed remarkable bravery and resilience during the prolonged siege.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history is essential for comprehending the complexities of contemporary global politics.
