Osprey's comprehensive examination delves into the soldiers of the Blue Division during World War II, a period spanning from 1939 to 1945. This all-volunteer force, known as the 'Blue Division,' emerged as a means for technically neutral Spain, under Franco's rule, to provide support for Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia.
Following initial training within Germany, the Blue Division's units were dispatched to the Eastern Front in August 1941. Enduring a grueling 40-day march to reach the frontlines, this division participated in a series of pivotal battles, most notably in Leningrad. As the momentum of the war shifted against Axis forces in 1943, orders for the Division's withdrawal were issued. However, a significant number of soldiers opted to remain, continuing their service with the Volunteer Legion. Despite the eventual setback in the Eastern theater, some individuals voluntarily enlisted in Waffen-SS units, serving through to the climactic fall of Berlin in 1945.
This book presents a vivid narrative that unravels the experiences of the ordinary soldier. It delves into their motivations for serving in the Wehrmacht, while providing an intricate exploration of their compelling and harrowing encounters in the midst of a harsh and adversarial World War II theater.
