Awards and Medals of the Spanish Blue Division

The parameter mostly used to measure the character of any elite military unit is usually the amount of awards earned while in combat with the enemy reflecting their courage and commitment. In this section we will discuss the case of the Blue Division, and their impressive display of courage under fire.

Spanish Medals and Awards

Upon the beginning of the war it was clear that the division of Spaniard would be an excellent foe, between the Soldiers and Officers of the Blue Division, seven members had already earned the "Cruz Laureada de San Fernando", the highest Spanish decoration in times of war, and seventy-one held the "Medalla Militar Individual". In Russia the Spanish Frontsoldaten earned eight "Cruses Laureadas" and forty-two "Medallas Militares Individuales", and two "Medallas Militares Collectivas". It should be noted that in the case of the "Cruses Laureadas", all but one was issued posthumously. Other lesser awards were issued, including "Cruz de Guerra" and "Cruses Rojas del Merito Militar" but their numbers have been lost to history. Following within Spanish military tradition, commemorative medals were created for the most important battles in the front. In this case the creation of a medal for the Russian campaign was established by decree on Feb 9th of 1943.

German Medals and Awards

As members of the Wehrmacht, the Blue Division was eligible and had access to the highest military awards and decorations of the Third Reich. Two Spanish Generals earned the "Iron Cross of the Knights Cross", Generals, Munoz Grandes y Esteban Infantes. Gen. Munoz Grandes was later presented with the "Oak Leaves" to his "Knight Cross", evidence of the high regard the German High Command had for his leadership. This is highly evident since the "Oak Leaves" were issued eight-hundred and eighty times; seven of these were issued to foreigners. And only two represented the volunteer service granted to Germany by their Allied Nations, Gen. Munoz Grande for Spain and Leon Degrelle for the Wallonies/France.

The German Cross in gold was awarded twice to Spanish volunteers, Gen. Esteban Infantes and Col. Garcia Navarro, Chief of the Blue Legion.

In accordance to the records of the German Archives, Bundesarchiv of Coblenza, the men of the Blue Division earned the following:

"Iron Cross 1st Class" 135
"Iron Cross 2nd Class" 2,362

"War Merit Cross with Swords 1st Class" 16
"War Merit Cross with Swords 2nd Class" 2,200

All but few received the following:

"Verwundetenabzeichen" Wounds Badges all Grades
"Nahkampfspange" Close Combat Clasp all Grades
"Infanterie Sturmabzeichen" Infantry Assault Badge all Grades
"Ostmedaille" Eastern Front Service Medal, All Members

The German regarded the Spaniards in such high regard that even political and governmental wards were bestowed upon the Spanish Division. However the most revealing act of "Kameradenshaft' was the creation of a special award to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Division. The creation of the "Spanischen Freiwilligen in Kampf gegen den Bolchevismus", the only documented and historic event in the Wehrmacht, directly ordered by Adolph Hitler and enacted the 28th of April of 1943, the only time any award was ever made to honor a volunteer unit during the war.

The Blue Squadrons

In the sense of numbers in the Luftwaffe the ranks of the Blue Squadrons or "Escuadrilla Azul" was small, with only 659 volunteers. It was compromised of five squadrons that included personnel attached to Air and Ground forces. Each unit had 15 pilots, mechanics and radio operators. Two Commanders, one for ground services and one for air, 4 Captains, 12 Lieutenants and 6 Specialist. It also included one Priest a Doctor, Adminintartion Officer and about 102 soldiers. However the tenacity in the air and bravery in the ground was also highly rewarded during the war. Their primary aircraft was the Me 109.

Awards by Spain

"Medallas Militares Individuales" 16
"Ascensos por Meritos de Guerra" 27
"Cruses de Guerra con Palmas" 38

Awards by Germany

"German Cross in Gold" 1
"Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class" 74
"War Merit Cross with Swords 1st and 2nd Class 571

Spaniards in the Kriegsmarine

This is the least known of all volunteer services during the war. It was not until the late 90's that we learn of this service mostly by the collaboration of Spain and Germany. During the war Spain observed a need to protect their coastal waters, by mutual agreement a series of patrol boats were purchased from Germany. A group of current Spanish Navy personnel in conjunction with their German counterparts participated in exercises and mission in the Baltic Sea. The total of Spaniards came to thirty-six, including Officers, Chiefs and Sailors. During their service they were able to earn the following. Deutscher Adlerordens III Klasse mit Schwerten, Kriegsabzeichen fur Minensuch and Kriegsverdienstkreuz II Klasse mit Schwertern.

Special note on the The Royal Order of San Fernando

The Royal Order of San Fernando was created by the Courts of Cadiz by decree on August of 1811. The rules and regulations of this Order were recently changed and update by decree #899 of July 27th of 2001, with the end to enroll the Knights who were decorated with the "Medalla Militar Individual" (Individual Military Medal). The action was taken at the El Escorial Monastery on March 4th 2003, the act was presided by his majesty King of Span Juan Carlos, we must point out that 31 former members of the Blue Division have been bestowed with this honour. Eight earned the Military Medal in the Russian Front, with 4 losing their lives as POW's, 7 were earned for service in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 thru 1939.

Epilog

In keeping with Spanish tradition in the Spanish Army, by Ministerial Order dated November 9th of 1943, the "Medalla de la Campaņa de la Division Espaņola de Voluntarios en Rusia is created and enacted. It is then presented to all members of the Division who served from 1941 until 1945.

In tune with the days and realizing the sacrifices of those who served, the arm patch used by the Division during the war is officially and permanently issued to all members to be worn as part of the uniform. Including after retirement and serving in government agencies such as the police or army.

By the mid 1980,s those who stayed in active duty were now being transferred to the reserves. Until then all members of the Division had proudly displayed their honours on their uniform in the same way they had during the war, without defacing their medals as in the case in Germany.

Today, former members of the Division, called "Divisionarios", during special occasions can legally wear their old uniforms and awards as they once did during the war.

As a final note General Munoz Grande was so proud of his award and service that when he was invited to a formal dinner in the White House during the Nixon administration he proudly displayed his "Knights Cross'.