Deuda de Sangre

 DEUDA DE SANGRE 

(DEBT OF BLOOD)

The German 250^th Infantry Division (La Division Azul) and the Spanish volunteers in Russia 1941-45 

An earlier version of this article appeared in the Society Of Twentieth Century Wargamers (SOTCW) magazine The Journal

Whilst doing some reading on the Rif War (Spanish Morocco 1919-26), I came upon several references to The Spanish Blue Division that fought with the Germans on the eastern front during The Second World War. I am not an expert on the Russian campaign so the fact that Spain a neutral country had send troops to fight was intriguing puzzle. What follows is the result of several months of digging and reading.

 The story of the division starts with the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The Nationalist forces under Franco received aid at first financial and material but finally manpower from both Italy and Germany. Figures vary but about 16,000 Germans and over 50,000 Italians fought on the Nationalist side throughout the conflict. Both Germany and Italy too were quick to officially recognise the Nationalists as Spain’s new official government in 1938. Britain and France once they received assurances of Spain’s neutrality in any future European war also recognised Franco’s government (27th and 28th February 1939 respectively). What followed was a long and protracted negotiation between Franco’s government and the Germans/Italians, this was and attempt by the Axis to draw Spain into their pact. Franco and his ministers had long believed a new war in Europe was looming so tried to avoid any public show of alliance. Spain had suffered much during the civil war and she needed all her neighbours to support her (Franco was particularly worried about France taking military action against a possible enemy Spain).  Franco went on public radio on September 3rd, 1939 to announce Spain’s neutrality.

The Germans stormed into Poland and Britain and France declared war, Germany stunned the Spanish by announcing a pact with Communist Russia (the biggest supporter of the Republicans during the civil war). This strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, Franco was at the same time trying to appease both the Allies (Britain and France) and raise aid from America. The campaign in the west is well documented with the German army completely crushing that of the Allies. The Spanish like the rest of the world were amazed by the French collapse but at the same time deeply worried by the German invasions of neutral Holland and Belgium. Franco was quick to send a letter of congratulations to Hitler and re-affirm their countries mutual friendship, while at the same time announcing Spain as a non-belligerent to the world.

 Spain was now “in the middle” Germany controlled Europe but wanted to expand south into the Mediterranean. Britain was isolated but had major holdings in Egypt and of course Gibraltar the gateway to the Med. She wanted to keep her sea routes open and could see Spain as a threat to this. Frantic efforts were made to placate both sides into believing that Spain was either a potential ally (to the Axis) or too weak to be a threat and would remain neutral (to Britain and her allies). It is possible that Spain may have joined the Axis as a full partner had it not been for two things. The first was the German arrogance towards their potential ally (Ribbentrop appears to have been a very poor Foreign Minister, he had alienated the British by a Nazi salute to the King during a visit to Britain before the war), the second and most serious was the Italians.  On October 28th 1940 the Italian Army launched her attack upon Greece, the German High Command was horrified. The Italians were already taking a beating in North Africa and now they commit themselves to another campaign. Their offensive also took Greece into the allied camp and gave the British an excuse to occupy Crete and other Greek islands. Franco and his advisers felt (rightly) that the Italian Army was not up to the task, they were also concerned that the Germans seemed to have no controlling influence over the Italians.

Germany had been pushing Spain to join the Axis or at least to allow passage of German Divisions across Spanish soil so they could attack Gibraltar and close the Mediterranean to the British Navy. Details of this plan “Operation Felix” are sketchy but appear to consist of a land attack (4-6 German Divisions driving through Spain) combined with air and sea attacks against British navel forces. The Spanish refused all advances (including the promise of Gibraltars return to Spanish control) claiming that Spanish national pride would not allow a foreign army to just walk across her soil, and that the return of Gibraltar to Spain would have to be achieved by the Spanish people. One can only wonder at the outcome if Spain had allowed German forces to attack Gibraltar directly in early 1941, it seems unlikely that “The Rock” could have held out at the time.

Serrano Suner (Franco`s Brother in law and Spanish Minister for foreign Affairs), Franco & Mussolini

Of course the Germans were forced by circumstance to abandon this plan and divert troops to North Africa and the Balkans. Hitler had already been planning his invasion of Russia and could not afford to leave his southern flank exposed. By mid-June 1941 the Axis situation had improved, they controlled the Balkans, the British had been forced off Crete and driven back into Egypt with his plans already six weeks behind Hitler ordered the commencement of “Operation Barbarossa” the invasion of Russia. News of each new Axis aggression had always been met in Spain by shock and horror after the ravages of her recent civil war but this announcement aroused great enthusiasm throughout the Spanish population. This war was seen by many as a just and holy crusade, even former Anarchists and Moderates who had suffered at the hands of communist Cheka police saw the action as justifiable.  The Spanish Foreign Minister Serrano Suner immediately asked permission from Berlin to send volunteer units to join the crusade against Bolshevism.

 The Spanish High command issued a special order on June 28th 1941 for the formation of a division of volunteers to be formed. This order specified that 50% of all officers and NCOs were to be from the regular Spanish Army, as things turned out the percentage of volunteers was far larger than the minimum 50%. To command the division, Franco personally chose General Agustin Munoz Grandes who served in Spanish Morocco with Franco during the Rif War and went on to command a corps during the civil war. The ranks of the division were filled from all quarters of Spanish society; several army and reserve officers actually accepted a reduction in rank to serve. Men and officers from Spanish Morocco (both Spanish and native) also volunteered, although the government was loathed to allow highly experienced members of the foreign legion to join, many did. A number of exiled “white” Russians served with the foreign legion and were keen to fight, these would later prove useful as interpreters in Russia. In addition to ground units members of the Spanish airforce also volunteered, these would go to form the “Spanish Expeditionary Squadrons”. After months of recruiting and organising the volunteers of the division were entrained at Madrid station at 4.00PM, Sunday 13 July. With the cheers of family and friends ringing in their ears they set off, crossing the French border at Irun. Each man and woman wore a blue shirt (symbol of the fascist Flange party) and the red beret of the Carlist movement. The division carried no weapons except for officer sidearms.

General Munoz Grandes first commander of the Blue Division

On July 17^th the first unit (1^st Battalion of Regiment “Pimental”) arrived at the training camp at Grafenwohr, the last unit arrived on July 23^rd bringing the division to full strength. The division was then reorganised along German lines and designated as the 250^th Infantry Division. The men were issued with new German uniforms and equipment, all rank and branch insignia was German with the addition of a shield (red and gold stripes under the title “Espana”) which was worn on the upper right sleeve. Sometimes the shield was painted onto the right side of the helmet too. The Spanish being a unit of volunteers from a country not occupied by Germany took liberties with their uniform dress that was not tolerated usually. The officers turned the collars of their shirts out over the jacket collars, Spanish decorations, rank and party badges were all transferred to the new German uniforms. These things along with a “devil may care” attitude came as a complete culture shock to the strict, precise German officers and NCOs. The sight of a Spanish private wandering across the parade ground with his collar open, a cigarette dangling from his mouth with his hands in his pockets must have driven any German insane. And after pulling up the man and bawling him out only to receive the reply “no entiendo, soy espanol!” must have been frustrating to say the least. The Germans also had difficulty in understanding the relationship between Spanish officers and their men. The men had high regard for their officers, and the officers showed great concern for the wellbeing of their men, there was discipline but not as the German army understood it!

 Due to constraints on time and personnel the division were trained within thirty days or 1/6th the time allocated to a new formed division. The Germans were highly impressed and amazed that the division managed to complete their training on scheduled as planned and was quickly readied to transport to the Eastern Front on August 20th 1941. After a long and tiresome trip they arrived near Suwalki in Poland at the end of August, unloading into a staging area between Reuss and Grodno. The remainder of the travel was on foot, heading for Smolensk on August 29th over 1,000 miles away, marching four abreast. With over a month on foot marching they arrived at their destination, crossing the Dnieper River on September 25th 1941. They then immediately set up camp about forty miles outside of Smolensk. The division was stretched out westerly with the rear of the division reaching Orsha. After two days of a well earned rest, at their surprise orders, came to march back through Orsha and move towards Vitebsk about 100 miles north. Upon their arrival the entrained a 450 mile trip to the final destination of Novgorod on the shores of Lake Ilemen and the Volkhov River.

A Brief Combat history of the Blue Division

12/10/41 first combat action: elements of 269^th Regiment ambush a Russian Battalion crossing the Volkhov, causing 50 dead and capturing 80 prisoners.

15/10 Spaniards now fully deployed, under constant harassing artillery fire.

18/10 Spaniards begin offensive operations with an assault crossing of the Volkhov, elements of both 263^rd and 269^th Regiments engaged. The first element to cross the river was 3^rd Battalion/263^rd led by Major Mayor.

19/10-23/10 Spanish enlarge their bridgehead despite desperate Russian counter-attacks. Several villages captured including Smeysko and Tigoda.

24/10-30/10 Spanish continue offensive capturing more villages. More heavy Russian counter-attacks resulted in heavy casualties; this did not prevent the Spanish from achieving their objectives. Gen. Von Rocks the sector commander praised the Spanish soldiers particularly the men of II Battalion/269^th and III Battalion/263^rd. Many Spanish soldiers were decorated with German medals for these actions.

2/11-21/11 Spanish positions across the Volkhov continuously probed and attacked by Soviet forces backed with artillery, aircraft and supported by tanks. Spanish troops also attacked by partisans. The temperature during this period regularly dropped to –30 degrees.

1/12-7/12 Heavy fighting around the out-lying villages of Posad and Nikltkino, Spanish troops take heavy casualties but refuse to give up positions that would expose the flanks of units north or south of them.

7/12-11/12 Spanish units withdraw from all positions east of River Volkhov. Many units have 40% or more casualties.

13/12-31/12 Spanish reform and dig in along the West Bank of the Volkhov, they are constantly shelled and forced to repel several Russian probes.         

10/01/42 Capt. Ordas and his Ski Company (formed Nov `41) with 206 men and 70 single horse drawn sleighs set out across the frozen lake Ilmen to relieve elements of the German 290^th Division trapped in Vsvad.

13/01-25/01 Ski company along with Latvian and German troops battle against soviet forces south of Lake Ilmen in temperatures of –30 to –50 degrees. By 25/1 the company was reduced to only 12 effectives, 2 officers and 10 men.

March 1942 a massive soviet attack punches a gap in the German lines creating the Volhhov pocket. Spanish units drawn into the fighting along with German formations which included Flemish SS volunteers. The reduction of the pocket and the destruction of Gen. Vlassov`s 2^nd Shock Army became the main offensive effort of elements of the division until they were relieved in early summer.

Mid-June – September division resting and refitting

10/9/42 division re-enters line only10 kilometres from Leningrad

10/9 – 31/12 trench style defensive warfare in front of Leningrad, constant harassment by artillery, mortars and aircraft. Periodic raids back and fore across no mans land. 

14/12 General Emilio Esteban Infantes assumes command of the division replacing Gen. Munoz Grandes who returns to Spain.

General Esteban Infantes

January 1943 Soviet counter offensive to relieve Leningrad, II Battalion/269^th almost wiped out in heavy fighting south of Poselok (only 28men out of 800 returned as effectives to the division).

9-10/2 Battle of Krasny Bor

March - September 1943 static trench warfare with regular raids and artillery duels.

5/10 Blue Division receives orders to pull out of the line.

14/10 Gen. Infantes awarded Knights Cross and informed that the division was to return to Spain.

29/10 Last members of The Blue Division cross the Spanish border.

The Blue Legion

Even though the Spanish Government had ordered the withdrawal of The Blue Division they still felt some sympathy for the German cause in the east and began to make plans to allow volunteers to remain in Germany and serve in a legion. On November 17^th 1943 with the division already leaving German controlled Europe Gen. Infantes received orders on the establishment of a legion of volunteers. The legion would consist of 1,500 men under the command of Col. Antonio Navarro. The formation was to be: two infantry Bandera (a Spanish formation of about 500 men) and a support unit with supply, anti-tank, engineers and reconnaissance troops. After training the legionnaires were sent east and found themselves near the Volkhov the original sector of The Blue Division, the legion was attached to the German 121^st Infantry. By December 17^th the legion was entrenched and being shelled by the Russians. After fighting off many soviet probes and attacks the Spanish withdrew along with their German allies when the Russians smashed the front on January 17^th. A long painful withdrawal followed with the engineers blowing up installations whilst rearguards fought off Russian patrols or partisans.

 Near Lyuban the legion was ordered to dig in and hold, this they did under heavy Russian pressure, 1^st Bandera lost almost all its officers during this fighting. On January 27^th the general retreat order was issued, the Spaniards were highly praised by the commander of 121^st Infantry for holding their positions. The legion retreated 140 kilometres to Narva and there was allowed to rest with the idea of digging in against Russian landings from the Gulf of Finland. Only a few days later political pressure from the Allies caused the Spanish government to request its citizens release from German service. By February 21^st the order for its withdrawal arrived and the “Blue Legion” turned in its heavy weapons and headed for Konigsberg where on March 24^th it disbanded. However some Spaniards did not want to go home.

Spanish SS Volunteers

Hitler decided he would recruit Spanish volunteers to fight for Germany off their own back. Agents approached these volunteers and assisted them in crossing the border into occupied France from where they were taken and organised into companies. Three were formed, the first attached to Wallonien SS Division, the second assigned to anti-guerrilla operations in the Carpathians and the last attached to a German division on the southern flank of the eastern front. Neither of the latter units proved successful and both were transferred to a training depot, several men deserted only to turn up at the company attached to the Wallonien Division. On December 20^th all foreign troops serving in the Wehrmacht were transferred to the SS by general order. The Spaniards were reformed into 101^st and 102^nd Spanish Volunteer Companies and were attached to 357^th Infantry Regiment east of Pressburg. Here the official story ends, but during the last desperate fighting around the Chancellery in Berlin elements of SS Charlemagne consisted of Spanish SS men under the command of SS Colonel Miguel Esquerra. Esquerra survived the battle and was taken prisoner but escaped and worked his way back across Europe to Spain.  

Organisation of the 250^th Infantry Division 25^th July, 1941

During my reading I have come up with no less than five different varied organisations for the division. Here’s the best sense I could make, please read the notes.

Divisional HQ 

189 all ranks commander: Gen. Munoz Grandes, 2IC: Col. Miguel Rodrigo Matinez, Chief of Operations: Lt. Col. Romero Mazariegos

262^nd Infantry Regiment 

3,012 all ranks, commander: Col. Pedro Pimental Zayas  [note 1] 

263^rd Infantry Regiment 

3,012 all ranks, commander: Col. Josee Vierna Trapaga

269^th Infantry Regiment 

3,012 all ranks, commander: Col. Jose Martinez Esparza

250^th Artillery Regiment 

2,793 all ranks commander: Col. Jesus Badillo Perez [note 2] 

250^th Panzerjager Battalion 

574 all ranks [note 3]

250^th cannon group 

531 all ranks [note 4]

250^th Reserve Battalion 

601 all ranks, commander: Commandante Armesto [note 5]

250^th Reconnaissance Battalion 

Exact composistion unknown at this time [note 6]

Signal group 

511 all ranks, commander: Major Antonio Barrera

Engineer Battalion 

714 all ranks,  commander: Lt. Col. Goicoechea [note 7]

Transport services 

1,034 all ranks [note 8]

Quartermaster services 

267 all ranks

Medical Services 

518 all ranks,  commander: Major Fernandez [note 9]

Veterinary service 

237 all ranks, commander: Manuel Galindo

Military Police 

33 all ranks

Military Post Office 

18 all ranks

Total ………………………………. 17,046

Notes

1. Each infantry regiment had:

Regimental HQ

A signal platoon

A Engineer Platoon (3 LMGs)

A bicycle reconnaissance platoon

1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Infantry Battalions with:

3 Infantry Companies (12 LMGs, 3 AT rifles, 2 50mm mortars). 

Each company had an assault platoon (this platoon had a high proportion of automatics, captured Russian PPSH41s and DP light machine guns were popular).  

1 Machinegun Company (12 HMGs, 6x80mm mortars)

Regimental Anti-tank Company (MOT) (4 LMGs, 12 37mm PAK36 guns)

2. The artillery regiment had:

Regimental HQ

Signal Platoon

1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Battalions each of:

3 batteries 105mm FH18 guns (4 guns/battery + 3 LMGs for close defence)

4^th Battalion of:

3 batteries of 150mm (4 guns/battery + 3 LMGs for close defence)

All guns were horse-drawn; no towing vehicles were ever issued. At least one of the 4^th Battalion batteries was supplied with captured 155mm French weapons.

3. Panzerjager Battalion with:

1 (MOT) Signal Platoon

3 (MOT) Panzerjager Companies each with:

2x 50mm PAK38 and 9x 37mm guns + 6 LMGs

This battalion was often referred to by the Spanish term “Group” which causes some confusion (see cannon group below). The vehicles for this battalion were confiscated French cars and trucks (Peugeots, Packards, Citroens, etc).

4. 250^th Cannon Group with:

3-4 batteries of 75mm leIG (a total of 18 guns)

2 batteries of 150mm sIG (a total of 6 guns)

All the infantry guns from each of the three Regimental Gun Companies appear to have been grouped together under divisional command (the Spanish system). All these weapons were horse towed.

5. 250^th Reserve Battalion with:

Battalion HQ

3 Rifle Companies (12 LMGs, 3 AT rifles, 2 50mm mortars). As with regular battalions each company had an assault platoon.

This unit was formed with the excess men from the original 4^th Regiment that arrived from Spain. The battalion was organised as an emergency reserve, but also fought as an assault battalion. By mid 1943 loses meant that the battalion was absorbed into the three line regiments.

6. 250^th Reconnaissance Group

Battalion HQ

(MOT) panzerjager company (3 37mm PAK36 guns, 1 LMG)

2 Cavalry Squadrons (3 50mm mortars, 2 HMGs, 9 LMGs, 3 AT rifles)

This unit is another anomaly not listed under the official TO&E but often mentioned in combat reports and listed by both Nafziger and Micromark. This is a composite organisation based on all the material available; all men had bicycles (I’ve read no evidence of mounted cavalry). The unit officers appear to have been ex-cavalry hence squadrons and not companies. This unit was given a high proportion of automatics.

7. 250^th Engineer Battalion

Battalion HQ

Signal platoon

Light supply column, horse drawn (2 LMGs)

3 Pioneer companies (9 LMGs, 3 AT rifles)

1st company had bicycles, this battalion was equipped for assault tasks and was issued with large numbers of automatics, they also bought German and captured Russian SMGs whenever possible.

8. Transport Services

9 light supply columns (only 3 motorised the rest horse drawn)

Fuel column (MOT)

Maintenance platoon (MOT)

Light supply company (horse drawn)

Bakery company (horse drawn)

Butchery company (MOT)

The Spanish believed that they were to form a motorised division so had included many of the required specialists for such a formation (mechanics, drivers etc). The Germans tried to get the Spanish to bring their own vehicles which was impossible so the division became an infantry division along German lines including horse drawn transport. Many mechanics and drivers from Spanish cities found themselves having to tend to horses for the first time. When the division left for Russia it had: 6,000 horses and 800 vehicles.

9. Medical Services

This figure includes 38 female nurses, in addition there were 25 chaplains attached to the division.    

The True Cost of War

After the war much international enmity was poured onto Spain for its pro-Axis stance and particularly the “Blue Division”. The now victorious Allies made great claims the Spanish and Franco’s alliance with Germany and Italy, they used this as a reason for Spain’s exclusion from the United Nations. It had to be said nothing was ever said about “neutral” America sending “Volunteers” flying with the RAF (The Eagle Squadron) or those mercenaries who flew against the Japanese in China (The Flying Tigers). Of course after the war the political boundaries of Europe changed, once again Spain’s strategic position at the mouth of Mediterranean made her a useful ally. Franco’s Government was welcomed into the United Nations in December 1955, when both Spain and Portugal joined NATO. It should be noted one of the main figures who negotiated with NATO was Gen. Munoz Grandes former commander of The Blue Division, he later represented Spain at the funeral of President John F. Kennedy. Finally in March 1954 the Greek ship Seirmais flying the Liberian flag left the Soviet Black Sea port of Odessa at set sail for Spain. The ship docked at Istanbul and took aboard doctors and nurses. Finally after a further ten to twelve days at sea the ship docked at Barcelona on April 2^nd. Aboard the Seirmais were 291 former prisoners some of who had survived 12 years in captivity! Among the survivors were 9 from the legion, 21 from the SS and 1 pilot from the air squadrons.

Sources

Espanoles Contra Stalin (La División Azul en el Frente Del Voljov Oct 1941 - Agusto 1942) by Carlos Caballero Jurado (ISBN 978-84-677-2718-0) Spanish text

Agony of a Neutral: Spanish-German Wartime Relations and the “Blue Division” by R.L.Proctor (Publisher: Univ. P of Idaho; ISBN: 0893010162)

Germanys Spanish volunteers 1941-45 by John Scurr (Osprey Men-At-Arms 103, ISBN 0-85045-359-3)

Spanish Soldiers in Russia by Pedro V. Roig (Ediciones Universal 1976)

Hitlers Spanish Legion by Gerald R. Kleinfeld and Lewis A. Tambs (ISBN 0-8093-0865-7)

Blue Division Soldier 1941-45 by C. Cabellero Jurado (Osprey warrior 142, ISBN 978-1-84603-412-1)

Signal – the magazine of the German soldier (No19 August 1941) French text

This particular issues contains a photo spread of the Spanish volunteers leaving Spain 

History Today (August 1977)

True Believers: Spanish volunteers in the Heer and Waffen SS, 1944-45 by Jean-Pierre Sourd (ISBN 1-891227-63-7)

Command magazine issue 27, March/April 1994

Armes Militaria magazine issue 176

Armes Militaria magazine issue 187

Axis Europa magazine issue 17, spring 1999

MicroMark lists: S2, R101, R102

Nafziger lists: 924RXAF, 942RAAC & 941EHIL

Other sources and useful information

Steve Thomas has a great website with sections dedicated to all things Spanish:

 http://www.balagan.org.uk/

This includes TO&E info and history on the Blue Division plus some scenarios for Crossfire rules. Most impressive of all is a very detailed, excellently laid out mini-campaign for Krazny Bor – check it out you’ll be impressed, I know I was.

 Silencio en la Nieve (The Frozen Silence) 

A Spanish who-done-it? Set during WW2 in Russia among the troops of the Blue Division serving there. Whilst not adding to our information, may give some ideas about uniforms etc. I wrote a brief review some years back:

 https://baberonwargames.blogspot.com/2016/02/frozen-silence-film-review.html