German Awards - Blue Division Commemorative Medal (Eagle)

A commemorative medal for the campaign in Russia was established or instituted by order of the General Chief of the Central General Staff of Spain on January 7, 1944 for returning members of the volunteer division. A prerequisite for obtaining was participation at least 6 months at the front in Russia or participation in at least 3 battles in compliance with military honor. Also claimed not recovered wounded from battles, that is, disabled war. They were able to identify the wound from the recording. A permit to wear the medal was issued without a specific order of precedence. As a rule, it was worn according to official awards for courage in Germany and Spain. Azul Division (Spanish Division Azul) is a volunteer organization that took part in battles against the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1943. In the German Wehrmacht, 250 were considered the Great Union. He headed the infantry division. The German name "Blue Division" dates back to the original uniforms of the Spaniards. Formed on June 24, 1941 under the command of General Augustin Munoz Grandes, the unit numbered 17,909 people. A total of about 47,000 men fought in the Azul Division. On August 20, 1943, she was officially dissolved, as Franco ordered her to return to Spain under foreign pressure. However, about 3,000 volunteers remained, who formed the Spanish Legion of Volunteers and continued to fight until the capture of Berlin. Germany provided utilities to former Blue Division members and widows and orphans. I don't know about the awards, but there was a big culture of remembrance in the Department that, even after 50 years, was still issuing commemorative medals. The medal was awarded in a cardboard box measuring 91 mm x 46 mm x 16 mm. Источник: Antonio Candado do Aguado, Condecaraciones y Distintivos de la Division Espanola de Voluntarios 1941 - 1943.

Medal in the form of an openwork eagle made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal. This one, laid on a wreath of bay leaves. In the center of the wreath on both sides is a royal crown with a ribbon ring. The back side of the eagle is smooth with raised figures.

Front side:

• An eagle with spread wings has 7 sawn feathers, 8 and 7 combined.
• On the eagle's chest is a Spanish phalanx of Spanish fascists.
• 1939 Iron Cross with swastika in the center.
• Eagle catches lie on the edge.
• The decorated tail feathers rise above the margin from below.

Downside:

• On the edge lies a heavy iron chain, broken at the bottom.
• Most likely, this is a symbol of the blockade of Leningrad.
In the
• center on the smooth back of the eagle are embossed:
• Above the silhouette of Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral.
• Below it is an inclined smooth wall with three teeth.
• On it is a 2-line increased - Rusia -/- 1941 -.

Tape:

• 30 mm white, edge stripe left red-yellow-red about 6 mm for Spain
• The extreme stripe on the right is black-white-red-white-black about 6 mm for the German Empire

Photos of www.Team-Militaria.de

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