
Originally Posted by
Mynydd
The Spanish Unit of the SS were the remnants of the Spanische Freiwillige Division 250, aka as División Azul (Blue Division) who refused to return to Spain after General Franco's decision to withdraw them. They were commanded by Captain Miguel Ezquerra (or Ezquerra), after with they took their name.
They were incorporated into the French Charlemagne SS Division, and they were among the last defenders of Hitler's bunker in Berlin.
From first hand accounts of some divisionaries I know that some people joined them directly from Spain (not from the Blue Division), and to do so they had to flee Spain shooting the Spanish border police.
Also, within the Blue Division, there was one particular unit worth to mention. This was strictly made up by troopers of the Spanish Legion, not by members the political Falange. They were feared by their own comrades for their extreme cruelty and outstanding (and crazy) courage... Viva la Muerte (Long Live Death). The entire Division was condecorated with the Iron Cross, and its General, Muñoz Grandes, with the Iron Cross with diamonds.
Other than Spaniards, there were a small number of Portuguese volunteers in the Blue Division who had already been fighting against Communism in Spain.
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