Hi Dan,
I believe that the Blue Division was called back to Spain in 1943, do not remember the month, I will try to verify it. I imagine that Franco ordered the return when he realized that the Axis would not win the war.
My grandfather did not fought in 2WW, but he did in Spanish Civil War, and after the war (1940-1942) he had to do the military service. It is strange isn't it ?, that after four years of war in Spain it was not enough.
I know that it is off-topic, but I think it is important that people know that most of spanish (or at least many of them) did not fought for a cause, just in the side that they were at the starting of the War. Because my grandfather was living in Valencia he had to fight for the Republica, probably if he had lived in Galicia he would have fought with Franco's army, but this has nothing to do with political ideas, just geographic.
When I go back home I will try to search for books, but all I know are written in spanish.
Best regards
Antonio
Spanish volunteers 1941-1945
Hi Antonio,
I'm interested by your grand fathers part in the SCW! I'm not an expert so forgive my ignorance but there were the republicans, franco and the anarchists? I've got a book on SCW but I can't get round how many different political groups there were.
I'm interested in portraying the Blue Division as I feel they need a representation for their combat record on the eastern front and the loss of life. What did your grand father serve as?
Cheers
Dan
I'm interested by your grand fathers part in the SCW! I'm not an expert so forgive my ignorance but there were the republicans, franco and the anarchists? I've got a book on SCW but I can't get round how many different political groups there were.
I'm interested in portraying the Blue Division as I feel they need a representation for their combat record on the eastern front and the loss of life. What did your grand father serve as?
Cheers
Dan
About my grandfathers all I know is that one of them was a volunteer in Franco´s army, he fought in the Front of Madrid and was made prisoner in the Battle od Brunete (nearby Madrid in 1.937).
He spent the rest of the war in some prisons in Valencia (one of those was a church called San Miguel de los reyes in Valencia). After the war he wrote a small book about his experiences and the family keep that book and today the original document has been donated to the Valencia Government (one of the regions of Spain).
My mother has always told me that my grandfather was about to be shot when the war ended, so he saved his life. Apparently he was to be shot because the republicans wanted him to renegate of the Christian religion and he didn't want to. Really I do not if it is true or not, I was a child when my grandfather died. If you wish so I could read once more the book and provide you with more informations.
I wolud like to post a photo of my grandfather in uniform but I do not know how to do it.
My other grandfather belonged to the Republica Army but he really did not fight (he was a soldier in administrative sections such as payment or something like that).
So at the end I had the fortune that all my grandparents were alive at the time of the war end.
In Spain is most frecuent that most of the families had relatives in the two sides.
To your second questions I would say that along the war were two sides one was Franco´s army and the army from Africa. In a very roughly way could be said that were part of it rightwing parties, supporters of the King, Carlistas (an extreme right party that wanted that another branch of Bourbons were the kings of Spain), Falange ( a polical party connected with fascism) and in general many persons didn´t like comunism, anarchism or the Republica.
In the other side was the Republica Government (the legitimate government of Spain) was supported by leftside parties, Socialist, comunists, anarchists and the ones that considered that this was the real governement elected by Spanish people.
Of course, all of these is much more complicated but I suggest a book from Ian Gibson, La Guerra Civil Española, that I imagine that was originally written in English. It is a good starting point although some people would say that it is pro Republica Government and not completely neutral.
Regarding the Blue Division, in Spain is generally accepted that they fought very well in all their engagements against much superior odds, although at first German officers thought that the Spanish soldiers were not very disciplined according to their schemes (something similar to Australians soldiers for a British point of view) and 50% of members died, were injured or taken prisoners.
Best regards
Antonio[/img]
He spent the rest of the war in some prisons in Valencia (one of those was a church called San Miguel de los reyes in Valencia). After the war he wrote a small book about his experiences and the family keep that book and today the original document has been donated to the Valencia Government (one of the regions of Spain).
My mother has always told me that my grandfather was about to be shot when the war ended, so he saved his life. Apparently he was to be shot because the republicans wanted him to renegate of the Christian religion and he didn't want to. Really I do not if it is true or not, I was a child when my grandfather died. If you wish so I could read once more the book and provide you with more informations.
I wolud like to post a photo of my grandfather in uniform but I do not know how to do it.
My other grandfather belonged to the Republica Army but he really did not fight (he was a soldier in administrative sections such as payment or something like that).
So at the end I had the fortune that all my grandparents were alive at the time of the war end.
In Spain is most frecuent that most of the families had relatives in the two sides.
To your second questions I would say that along the war were two sides one was Franco´s army and the army from Africa. In a very roughly way could be said that were part of it rightwing parties, supporters of the King, Carlistas (an extreme right party that wanted that another branch of Bourbons were the kings of Spain), Falange ( a polical party connected with fascism) and in general many persons didn´t like comunism, anarchism or the Republica.
In the other side was the Republica Government (the legitimate government of Spain) was supported by leftside parties, Socialist, comunists, anarchists and the ones that considered that this was the real governement elected by Spanish people.
Of course, all of these is much more complicated but I suggest a book from Ian Gibson, La Guerra Civil Española, that I imagine that was originally written in English. It is a good starting point although some people would say that it is pro Republica Government and not completely neutral.
Regarding the Blue Division, in Spain is generally accepted that they fought very well in all their engagements against much superior odds, although at first German officers thought that the Spanish soldiers were not very disciplined according to their schemes (something similar to Australians soldiers for a British point of view) and 50% of members died, were injured or taken prisoners.
Best regards
Antonio[/img]
Hi Antonio,
Thankyou once again for contributing! Interesting life your grand father lived ( if you don't mind me saying) !
If you go onto http://imageshack.us/index.php and click browse and upload the pictures its very straight forward and easy to follow.
I remember small bits of the book I have and the description of the men coming from africa ( including shipments of weapons?) to fight in Spain.
Thank you (again) for the reccomendation of the book, I'll have to look out for it!
Cheers
Dan
Thankyou once again for contributing! Interesting life your grand father lived ( if you don't mind me saying) !
If you go onto http://imageshack.us/index.php and click browse and upload the pictures its very straight forward and easy to follow.
I remember small bits of the book I have and the description of the men coming from africa ( including shipments of weapons?) to fight in Spain.
Thank you (again) for the reccomendation of the book, I'll have to look out for it!
Cheers
Dan
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Frontkampfer
- Member
- Posts: 146
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 02:58
- Location: Connecticut, usa
The Allies pressured Franco to withdraw the Blue Division, in exchange for oil. (He had never believed in a Nazi victory, which is why he only provided a token force to begin with. ) There were various dealings between Franco & the Western Allies during the war, to their mutual benefit.
Two more good books are the classic THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR by Hugh Thomas, & HOMAGE TO CATALONIA by George Orwell (Many people are unaware that Orwell fought in the SCW, in the socialist POUM militia).
The US Texas Oil Co. (later Texaco) played a large part in helping Franco/Hitler/Mussolini win the war, by illegally providing the rebels with unlimited oil credits. Hitler's early airlift of Army of Africa colonial troops to Spain was also crucial.
Two more good books are the classic THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR by Hugh Thomas, & HOMAGE TO CATALONIA by George Orwell (Many people are unaware that Orwell fought in the SCW, in the socialist POUM militia).
The US Texas Oil Co. (later Texaco) played a large part in helping Franco/Hitler/Mussolini win the war, by illegally providing the rebels with unlimited oil credits. Hitler's early airlift of Army of Africa colonial troops to Spain was also crucial.
Junker52 wrote:
LC Control Number: 78015677
Type of Material: Text (Book, Microform, Electronic, etc.)
Brief Description: Kleinfeld, Gerald R., 1936-
Hitler's Spanish Legion : the Blue Division in Russia / Gerald R. Kleinfeld and Lewis A. Tambs.
Carbondale : Southern Illinois University Press, c1979.
xii, 434 p., [6] leaves of plates : ill. ; 24 cm.
HTH
The standard English language work on the Blue Division is:Also can you reccomend any good books on the Blue Division?
LC Control Number: 78015677
Type of Material: Text (Book, Microform, Electronic, etc.)
Brief Description: Kleinfeld, Gerald R., 1936-
Hitler's Spanish Legion : the Blue Division in Russia / Gerald R. Kleinfeld and Lewis A. Tambs.
Carbondale : Southern Illinois University Press, c1979.
xii, 434 p., [6] leaves of plates : ill. ; 24 cm.
HTH
On 20th July 1936 started the "puente aereo del estrecho", firste massive transport of troops by plane and the II bandera de la Legión arrived to Sevilla and Cadiz.was the italian air force that transport FRANCO'S African Army to Spain.
The insurgent army had few planes and during the first days only 3 Fokker FVII from the airport of Tablada (Sevilla) and 2 Dornier Val from Melilla did transport duties.
The 25th july 1 Douglas DC2 was added to the operation, and 2 Niuport 52 were assigned as escort planes.
The same day Hitler decided to send 20 Junker Ju 52 and 6 Heinkel He 51.
On 27th july Mussolini sent 12 transport planes, maybe Savoia SM81.
The 5th of august there was also a transport of troops by sea (El convoy the la victoria), the ships were protected by the already mentioned planes plus 9 Breguet XIX and the I bandera de la legión landed in Cadiz.
On the 6th of August the Cargo "Usarama" arrived to Cadiz whit a shipment of 6 Heinkel He 51. They were assembled and started missions of escort.
During the month of august the Junker Ju 52 arrived and began to transport the rest of the army of Africa.
Along the first days of war 2.000 troops were transported by plane or sea. During august and september 12.000 more arrived.
Hope this helps
Antonio
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Allen Milcic
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