The famous Spanish “Tercios” were some of the most formidable troops fighting in many European wars over a couple of centuries. This is not surprising, coming from a land that was invaded by many foreign powers and which were eventually kicked out. The guerrilla warfare taught Napoleon a lesson or two.

"Ya hablaremos de capitulación después de muertos"

In reality, only two individuals were exceptionally recognized by both sides, and both were Spanish. Joan Pujol García (Garbo), a double agent, received the German Iron Cross and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the United Kingdom for his decisive role in the war.

General Agustín Muñoz Grandes, the senior commander of the Blue Division, on the other hand, was personally decorated by Hitler with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during the conflict and later, by the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower—who had been Supreme Allied Commander during World War II—with the Legion of Merit in the rank of Commander, in an official ceremony at the White House, outside the framework of the war and in the context of the Cold War.

These are unique and truly exceptional cases of individuals who received official state decorations from states on opposing sides.

And yes, Muñoz Grandes appeared at the White House in Spanish uniform, wearing his Knight’s Cross suspended from a ribbon around his neck, causing quite a stir among the generals present.

My grandfather's brother left at 19, with the Blue Division, and never returned.

"Treat your men like your beloved sons and they will follow you into the deepest valley"-Sun Tzu the art of war

The great grandfather of one of my best friends whom was also the uncle's of my grandpa's best friend, fought in Krazni Bor. He, among some others as you well said in the video, fought until Berlin, he was in the Blue Legion and formalised joining the SS-Charlemagne, after fighting in Berlin, he told me that between luck and skill, he was abled to escape, fought along the 9th and 12th armies, and escaped till returning to Spain. He was one of those adventourers that luckily and somehow returned alive

Incidentally, Stalin's Soviet Union participated in the Spanish Civil War and sent military equipment and troops there. All of this, of course, was done under the slogan of "fighting for the happiness of workers and peasants." When it became clear that building "Stalin's happiness" was failing, the Communists exported Spain's gold reserves to the USSR. Probably because wealth is evil.

​"No hay palmo de tierra en el mundo que no tenga una tumba española."

Fun fact: The man who was the general of the Blue Division wore his Iron Cross when he met with Allied generals. The absolute balls on that guy.

This was all very informative.  I was aware of the existence of the Blue Division, but next to nothing about their combat record.  Marching a thousand miles to war is an amazing feat, and to then face a furious Soviet onslaught is the stuff of legend.

I'm Spanish and I know my history. The video is a master piece. Kudos to you sir.

Nevertheless, some context is relevant. Stalin assisted the Spanish reds during the civil war, way more than Hitler and Mussolini ever helped Franco. In fact, Stalin's involvement with the Spanish republic (a socialist state in practice) started before the civil war had begun.

As per the blue division, to say they were anti-communist is an understatement. The reds carried out countless crimes and slaughter during the civil war. Not only against political people, but against regular Joes who just wanted to feed their kids and go to mass on Sunday. Thus, many (if not most) of the blue division volunteers fought for revenge, not just anti-communism. They knew the Russians were involved in the crimes of the civil war. They also knew there Spanish reds that fled to the USSR when Franco won the war. Many of those volunteers had been tortured or lost relatives at the hands of the reds. Many had little left to loose and were willing to die for revenge, which why so many of them refused to return to Spain.

For example, my grandad was a shepherd who knew nothing of politics, but he was prosecuted by the reds for owning his own herd and refusing to conscript into the red army. He had to hide in a barn for a year, until Franco's army took the village. Then he left the barn and joined Franco's army to fight the reds. Fortunately for him, his wife and son were unharmed (just hungry) so he stayed in Spain and continued as a shepherd. Had he lost his family, I imagine he would have joined the blue division for revenge, just like he joined Franco's army after he left that barn.

Buen video... My father was there. He said so many shells fell that the snow melted. And they could feel the ground was hot. The Russians found the supply depot. It was full of packages that families were sending to the soldiers, and bottles of wine, cognac, etc. And that kept them occupied. Time that gave the Spaniards to regroup. I'm sure they'd shoot those poor Russians later. My father was wounded in the head by a soldier. The bullet grazed his temple, so he didn't remember the rest of the battle. He found out later from friends and what they told him. They sent him to Berlin, he was hospitalized for 15 days, they treated him like a prince. He was decorated for the second time. He had another one for a motorcycle grenade wound. And another, but it was a communal one, they gave it to the whole division for the winter of '41, if I'm not mistaken. He came back to Spain on leave, and they wouldn't let him return to the front. At the end of the war, he was made a "favorite son" of his hometown (Villacarrillo, in Jaén). He enlisted in the Spanish Legion and participated in another war: the Ifni-Sahara War of 1958.

A solid shout out to the game "Gates of Hell: Ostfront" for featuring the Blau Division in the campaign mission "The Legend of Krasny Bor". In one of the battlefields, you command a battalion of Blau Division troops to hold the line of an approaching Soviet armored onslaught. Comprised of experienced troops, some German eningeers, you spend an ample amount of time on the preparation of the defense of the area. Mines, trenches, blockades, machine guns, a small number of artillery and AT guns - no Tanks. And then the attack commences - from shellings, to tank rushes and storming of infantry - you hold the line with what you have left.

Its a tough battle, but to be in a battlefield and play as the Blau Division and manage to hold the Reds back by the skin of their teeth - it's an amazing mission giving recognition and honor to those who fought with a brand of courage foreign even to the Germans.

just dudes being guys, very tough guys indeed

You should speak about the treatment these soldiers gave civilians, often sharing their food with them. No matter the side you fought, if you do that you deserve human respect.

Thank you for not using AI to narrate your videos 🙏  . You dont even know how many of us hate AI slop , this feels so much better with a human voice and your accent

Calling a flank made up of volunteers who had already been through a civil war, won, and still wanted to kill more communists a "weak link" is crazy for a Soviet general.

The Spanish in the SS and Wehrmacht, 1944-1945: The Ezquerra Unit in the Battle of Berlin by M. Gil Martínez (published in English by Schiffer Publishing) documents the little-known final stand of Spanish volunteers fighting for Germany, particularly Miguel Ezquerra’s unit during the 1945 Battle of Berlin. These volunteers fought fiercely in the city's final days, refusing to abandon their German comrades.

Cowardice cannot be expected from a nation whose national ritual is to confront a 500 kg beast

The Spaniards do not fight for themselves; they fight for the comrades beside them. That is what makes them fearsome.