"This is a beautifully illustrated book of 115 pages... a nice
addition to the library of any World War II buff." -- Toy Soldier
Collector & Historical Figures
On 22 June 1941, Hitler's armies launched Operation Barbarossa and swept
in to the Soviet Union. On the same day, the Spanish Foreign Minister,
Ramon Serrano Suner, contacted the German embassy in Madrid with an
extraordinary proposal - would the German government welcome the
addition of a force of Spanish volunteers in the war against the
Russians?
Officially designed by the Wehrmacht as the 250th Infantry Division, but
commonly referred to as the Azul or Blue Division after the color of
Spain's Falangist (Fascist) Party, this force initially amounted to some
18,000 volunteers under the command of the fiercely anti-communist
General Agustin Munoz-Grandes. Of the first 18,694 men who entrained for
Germany during July 1941, seventy percent, including every officer from
captain on up, were from the regular army, whilst most of the rest were
Spanish Civil War veterans.
By the time that the Blue Division returned home, 47,000 Spaniards had
been involved in fighting on the Russian front. There were 22,000
casualties: 4,500 dead, 8,000 wounded, 7,800 sick and 1,600 suffering
from frostbite. As the authors reveal, Spaniards also volunteered or
served in other units or organization.
This highly illustrated book examines the history, personalities, and
uniforms and equipment of those men and women who volunteered to serve
alongside Hitler's armies. Along with full color drawings, there are
many rare photographs provided by survivors.
