Barcode: 0 89195 86674 5
Case Pack: 48 Pieces Per Master Carton
Box Size: 6.4" x 10.2" x 1.5"
The German Condor Legion’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War is widely documented,
but perhaps not so well known is the fact that many Spanish volunteers reciprocated
during WWII. The Blue Division, also known as 250.Infanterie-Division, served
on the Eastern Front. Spain did not officially enter WWII, but Franco allowed
volunteers to join the Wehrmacht if they were to fight Soviet communists. Once
Hitler approved the formation of a Spanish unit on 24 June 1941, a division
of 18,000 men was quickly raised. Their name of “Blue Division” stemmed from
the symbolic blue shirts they wore. However, in combat the Spaniards wore typical
Wehrmacht uniforms with a badge emblazoned with the word “Espan~a” and the Spanish
national colors on their upper right sleeves. The Blue Division fought in such
actions as the siege of Leningrad. Under political pressure, Franco eventually
disbanded the Blue Division in November 1943.
The Spanish Volunteer Blue Division is represented in Dragon’s latest 1/35
scale figure set. The box contains four figures fighting in the depths of winter
on the Eastern Front, perhaps in the vicinity of Leningrad. Their poses are
vividly crafted as they prepare to spring an ambush on Soviet troops and their
accompanying T-34 tanks. On hand they have weapons like antitank mines, bundled
grenades, an MP40 and a rifle. They also wield captured Soviet weapons like
a PPsH41 submachine gun and DP light machine gun. They are dressed in an array
of uniform items such as snow smock, greatcoats and a sheepskin coat. The carefully
sculpted plastic figures capture perfectly the tension of the ambush. Although
it’s marketed as a Blue Division set, the soldiers could easily be adapted for
any Eastern Front combat scene.
