Blue Legion

The Blue Legion (Spanish: Legión Azul; German: Blaue Legion), officially called the Spanish Volunteer Legion (Spanish: Legión Española de Voluntarios; German: Spanische-Freiwilligen Legion), was a volunteer legion created from 2,133 falangist volunteers who remained behind at the Eastern Front after most of the Spanish Blue Division was repatriated in March 1944 because Francisco Franco had started negotiations with the Allies. It officially consisted of two battalions. It was later estimated that the legion grew to over 3,000 Spaniards.

Spanish Volunteer Legion
Insignia of the Blue Legion, incorporating the flag of Spain
Active17 November 1943 (1943-11-17) – 12 April 1944 (1944-04-12)
Country Francoist Spain
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Branch Wehrmacht
TypeInfantry
Size2,133–3,000 troops
Nickname(s)Blue Legion
EngagementsEastern Front (World War II)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Miguel Ezquerra

The 101st SS Spanish Volunteer Company (German: Spanische-Freiwilligen Kompanie der SS 101) of 140 men, composed of four rifle platoons and one staff platoon, was attached to 28th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Wallonien and fought in Pomerania and Brandenburg. Later, as part of 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland and under command of Hauptsturmführer der SS Miguel Ezquerra, it fought during the last days of the war against Soviet troops in the Battle of Berlin.[1]

The troops bore the word ESPAÑA and a red/yellow/red horizontally striped shield worn on the upper right arm, and a helmet.

References
  1. Julio, Rodriguez-Puértolas (2008). Historia de la literatura fascista española. p. 712.
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