The all-volunteer 'Blue Division' was a formation that allowed Franco's technically neutral Spain to support Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia. Following initial training in Germany, the Blue Division's units were sent to the Eastern Front in August 1941, where, after a 40-day march to the front, the Division fought in several major actions including Leningrad. In 1943, with the tide turning against the Axis forces in Russia, the Division was ordered to be withdrawn, yet many men chose to stay on and serve with the Volunteer Legion. Even after the collapse in the East, some volunteered to serve with Waffen-SS units through to the fall of Berlin in 1945. This book narrates the experiences of the common soldier, exploring his motivation for serving the Wehrmacht, and detailing his dramatic experiences in a brutal and hostile theater of World War II.
Les mer
Narrates the experiences of a common soldier, exploring their motivation for serving the Wehrmacht, and detailing their experiences in a brutal and hostile theater of World War II.
Introduction Chronology Recruitment/ Enlistment Training Appearance Equipment Conditions of Service On Campaign Belief and Belonging Experience of Battle After the Battle Collecting/Museums/Re-enactment Bibliography Glossary Index
Les mer
Spain's volunteer army of World War II comprised an entire division, and over 45,000 fought on the Eastern Front. This book examines their motivation, and tells their story.

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781846034121
Publisert
2009-10-10
Utgiver
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Osprey Publishing
Vekt
248 gr
Høyde
248 mm
Bredde
184 mm
Dybde
7 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
64

Illustratør

Om bidragsyterne

CARLOS CABALLERO JURADO was born in Ciudad Real, Spain, in 1957. A history teacher in Alicante, Carlos has written and co-written seven Osprey titles for the Men-at-Arms and Elite series. He is also the author of six books and numerous articles published in Spanish about the Blue Division and the Blue Squadron. Carlos belongs to the Spanish Army Volunteer Reserve, as a 2nd Lieutenant.

RAMIRO BUJEIRO has become a frequent and popular contributor to Osprey Military's book series since illustrating Warrior 23, US Marine in Vietnam (1998). He is an experienced commercial artist who lives and works in his native city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His professional background includes many commissions as a figure illustrator and strip cartoonist for clients all over Europe and the Americas, including many years' work for IPC Magazines in Great Britain.