The 'Blue Squadrons': The Spanish in the Luftwaffe, 1941-1944

(Paperback)

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When on June 22, 1941, the news of the attack that the Third Reich had initiated against the Soviet Union reached Spain, it was received with great satisfaction, since it was not in vain that they had just come out of a civil war in which the Soviet Union had been defeated. communism that they wanted to impose with the help of the USSR. General Francisco Franco, chief of the Spanish state, offered to send a Volunteer Unit to fight on the Eastern Front alongside the German army, an offer that was accepted by the German government two days later. The formation of the Blue Division was already underway. But the Spanish Air Force also wanted to participate in the aerial fight against the USSR and promptly began preparations to organize a series of several successive squadrons, each one of which would act at the front for six months. During the story of the combats between the Spaniards and the Soviets, we learn about the different missions that were ordered for the Spanish unit. We will also be able to see the planes against which the Spanish fought. In this book we will recount the adventures of the 5 squadrons sent between 1941 and 1944 to fight against the Soviets. We will learn about the courage and skill of the Spanish drivers and mechanics who achieved a high number of victories. The 5 Blue Squadrons from October 1941 to March 1944 remained in the combat front for almost 30 months. During these months they carried out 4944 combat missions, with 611 engagements against the enemy and managed to shoot down 164 Soviet aircraft. Among the Spanish pilots there were 13 aces (when 5 enemy planes were shot down, the pilot was considered an ace), although the short period of time in which each of the 5 Blue Squadrons fought in Russia prevented the number of planes shot down by Spanish pilots was as high as that of their German comrades. We will also know the planes and emblems used by the 5 squadrons, thanks to an important graphic section of both photographs and profiles. A noteworthy fact is that the Germans agreed to lend their planes to pilots belonging to a country that was not at war. Also as stated above, the Germans really appreciated and respected the Spanish pilots for their bravery and virtuosity in flying, having fought shoulder to shoulder with them during the Spanish Civil War. AUTHORS: Juan Arrez Cerd is a Spanish Aviation expert and owner of one of the best pictures' collections of Spanish Aviation. He is the author of many books and articles about Aviation (in French and Spanish). Eduardo Manuel Gil Martnez has been interested in history for many years, particularly the Second World War. Determined to write about the little known stories, he is the author of several books including 'Breslau 1945: El ltimo bastin del Reich', 'Fuerzas acorazadas hngaras 1939-45', 'The Spanish in the SS and Wehrmacht.1944-45', 'The Bulgarian Air Force in World War II', 'Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 1943-45' and 'Romanian Armored Forces in World War II'. 164 b/w photos, 30 colour profiles, 5 tables

Reviews

"...highlights the fact that, in 1940, many people were so afraid of communism and Russian expansionism that they were willing to ignore German aggression and criminality and offer service to an occupying power."-- "The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"
"This book is a useful addition to any library, especially for those interested in the overlooked Spanish experience on the Eastern Front in World War II."-- "The NYMAS Review"
"Juan Arrez Cerd and Eduardo Manuel Gil Martnez provide an easy-to-read tale that I found intriguing and hard to put down."-- "IPMS/USA"
"In all, the research shows and helps to make for what is probably the best book on the subject yet done."-- "ModelingMadness.com"

Author Bio

Juan Arraez Cerda is a Spanish Aviation expert and owner of one of the best pictures' collections of Spanish Aviation. He is the author of many books and articles about Aviation (in French and Spanish). Eduardo Manuel Gil Martinez has been interested in history for many years, particularly the Second World War. Determined to write about the little known stories, he is the author of several books including 'Breslau 1945: El ultimo bastion del Reich', 'Fuerzas acorazadas hungaras 1939-45', 'The Spanish in the SS and Wehrmacht.1944-45', 'The Bulgarian Air Force in World War II', 'Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 1943-45' and 'Romanian Armored Forces in World War II'.