An original Blue Division Medal or Commemorative Medal for Spanish Volunteers who fought alongside the Germans on the Eastern Front.
An original Blue Division Medal or Commemorative Medal for Spanish Volunteers who fought alongside the Germans on the Eastern Front.
Reverse image of an original Blue Division Medal or Commemorative Medal for Spanish Volunteers who fought alongside the Germans on the Eastern Front.

Spanish ‘Blue-Division’ Commemorative Medal

An original Blue Division Medal or Commemorative Medal for Spanish Volunteers who fought alongside the Germans on the Eastern Front. The  circular brass medal depicts two shields supimposed over a sword, one shield bears the German national emblem, the other has the Falange symbol from the Franco period, with a German helmet below and swasika below flanked by two laurel leaves. The medal comes complete with original ribbon which is similiar to that of the iron cross with a yellow stripe through the centre. The reverse of the medal has the inscription “Division Espanola De Voluntarios En Rusia” with an Iron Cross below flanked with laurel leaves. The medal has no damage or repairs in mint condition.

 

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Product ID: 12970

£200.00

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Description

The Spanish Blue Division

The Spanish Blue Division, officially known as the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht, was a volunteer unit of Spanish soldiers who fought on the Eastern Front during World War II. The division was formed in 1941, after the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco agreed to send troops to support Nazi Germany, but not to declare war on the Allies. The division was named after the blue shirts worn by the Falangist, a fascist political party in Spain.

The Blue Division fought mainly against the Soviet Union, participating in the siege of Leningrad, the battles of Volkhov and Krasny Bor, and the defensive operations around Lake Ladoga. The division suffered heavy casualties, especially in the winter of 1941-1942, when it faced harsh weather conditions and Soviet attacks. The division was praised by the German commanders for its bravery and discipline, and received several awards and decorations.

In 1943, after the Allied invasion of Sicily and the collapse of Italy, Franco decided to withdraw the Blue Division from the Eastern Front, under pressure from the United States and Britain. However, some of the volunteers refused to return to Spain and continued to fight under the German command, forming the Blue Legion and later the Blue Squadron. The last remnants of the Spanish volunteers surrendered to the Allies in May 1945.

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