Spain in WW2
Most people don’t realise that although officially neutral Spain had an active part in World War II in the form of the Blue Division, otherwise known as the Spanish Volunteer Division, Division Azul, or by its official German title of the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht. The Blue Division fought for the Axis on the Eastern Front. Individual Spaniards were also involved on both sides during WWII, often in quite large numbers. In a few cases these individuals were collected into units. I have collected some material on the Spanish in Allied service
Spanish Blue Division in Flames of War
Flames of War are the company level WWII rules being written by Battle Front Miniatures . Here are my suggestions for using the Spanish Blue Division under Flames of War.
Volkhov Bridgehead – A Crossfire Battle Report
Rich Wilcox and I played out my Volkhov Bridgehead / Posicin Navarro scenario the other day. As Rich took some photos, I thought I’d write up a battle report. This is one of my Blue Division scenarios, so features the 250th (Spanish Volunteer) Division on the Eastern Front.
Volkhov Bridgehead – A Crossfire Scenario featuring the Blue Division
A Crossfire scenario with II/269 battalion of the Spanish Blue Division attempting to establish a bridgehead across the Volkhov River and hold it against Soviet counter-attacks. See also my Battle Report.
The ‘Old Chapel’ – A Crossfire Scenario featuring the Blue Division
A Crossfire scenario with two companies of the 1/269 battalion (Spanish Blue Division) attacking a Russian battalion at the ‘Old Chapel’ near the Vokhov River. This is an assault where the defender doesn’t really want to defend.
The scenario is draft at the moment.
Sitno – A Crossfire Scenario featuring the Blue Division
A Crossfire scenario with II/269 battalion of the Spanish Blue Division defending the village of Sitno north of the Volkhov against massed Soviet assaults.
Spaniards in French Service During WW2
A lot of Spaniards fought in French Service in WW2. Both as complete units and as individuals. On the outbreak of WWII the French recruited heavily from Republican refugees of the recently ended Spanish Civil War. The choice for these men was remain in French internment camps or join the French army. During the course of the war these Republicans fought in most theatres, for example at Narvik, in the raid on Brest, with the Long Range Desert Group, Leclerc’s 2nd Armoured Division, the British SAS, and the French resistance. Spanish fought with the Free French Troops and in the F.F.I.
Krasny Bor Campaign: Phase 2 – Consolidate gains
Phase 2 of the Krasny Bor Campaign is for consolidation and each Soviet player has different objectives. It ends at 13.00 hours and is fought on the Rear tables.
Krasny Bor Campaign: Phase 1 – Break the line
Phase 1 of the Krasny Bor Campaign is the Soviet attempt to breakthrough the Spanish Front Line troops and get as many troops as possible into the Spanish rear for use in Phase 2. It starts at 08.00 hours and is fought on the Front tables.
Krasny Bor Campaign – A Crossfire Campaign featuring the Blue Division
In mid-2003 the guys at the Shed asked me to set up a scenario for a weekend bash. The parameters they outlined were: WW2, Crossfire, 8-9 players (optional umpire), 4 tables, 2 real days of gaming, and BIG. Krasny Bor appealed to me for a number of reasons:
- It involves the Spanish Blue Division
- It is very BIG
- There aren’t many tanks
- It is seemingly one-sided, and I wondered if I could still make it a good game.
“Black Wednesday”: The Blue Division at the Battle of Krasny Bor
The Battle of Krasny Bor was the climax of the Blue Division’s time on the Eastern Front during WW2. Four Soviet rifle divisions, supported by tanks and guns, smashed into the equivalent of five Spanish battalions. the Spanish took a mauling but were only pushed a few kilometres back from their starting positions before the line was stabilised.
Steven’s Blue Division Battalion
The Spanish Blue Division is what got me into WW2. Officially the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht and comprising Spanish Volunteers, this unit was also know as the Spanish Volunteer Division, Division Azul, or the Blue Division. They are Spanish, of course, but I use them as Germans when needed.
WW2 Painting Guide: Early-Mid War Spanish and Germans
My WW2 Axis figures are early-mid War Germans but actually represent the Spanish Blue Division. To be honest the only distinguishing feature is the Spanish flag patch on their right shoulder; otherwise wore standard German uniforms. This is one of my WW2 Painting Guides
Order of Battle of the Blue Division
Officially the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht and comprising Spanish Volunteers, this unit was also know as the Spanish Volunteer Division, Division Azul, or the Blue Division.
Spanish Blue Division of World War II
The Fascist government of Spain contributed an infantry division to the Axis effort in World War II. The Spanish Volunteer Division was designated the 250th (“Blue”) Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht on 25 July 1941. The Division left active service on 23 December 1943 after seeing considerable and bloody combat on the Eastern front, particularly around Leningrad. It was called the “Blue Division” (Division Azul) because the original uniform included the distinctive dark blue shirts of the Spanish Fascists (the Falange), however, the Division adopted German uniforms as soon as they reached Germany. Their climatic encounter of the war was the Battle of Krasny Bor.