Spanish Cross Award Numbers

[Richard Gordon]

I'm sure this has been asked and explained before but if it was I didn't see it or I have forgotten so I'll ask again anyway...

Did every German volunteer in Legion Condor (who survived) receive some grade of the Spanish Cross?

Rich

[James Clark]

I'm sure this has been asked and explained before but if it was I didn't see it or I have forgotten so I'll ask again anyway...

Did every German volunteer in Legion Condor (who survived) receive some grade of the Spanish Cross?

Rich

There was a group either here or on another forum that shows it wasn't just those that survived - the group included a Spanish Cross to a casualty along with a Next of Kin cross to his relative.

[Richard Gordon]

Now you mention it, that does ring a bell. I think the KIA was awarded the SCiG and the Next of Kin cross also awarded.

But my main question was did every member of the Legion Condor receive the Spanish Cross?

Rich

[James Clark]

Goering addressed all the members of the Legion Condor on 31 May 1939 (quoted by Klietmann). Those present included members who had just returned from Spain and those who had served there previously. The address included the following information:

- all participants were to receive the cross in Bronze with swords

- those who had come into contact with the enemy and had fought and engaged in combat were to receive the cross in silver with swords

- those who had distinguished themselves through daring, courage and bravery were to receive the cross in gold with swords

- those who stood out above all others due to their particular deeds were to receive the cross in gold with swords and diamonds

This is all in line with the statute, which said that the award with swords would be awarded to the volunteers of the Legion Condor (and also to members of the Krigsmarine involved in three specified actions).

Finally, the statute also says that German civilian volunteers of the Legion Condor were to receive the award without swords (along with courier pilots, members of the Wehrmacht who served alongside the Legion Condor or with the Kriegsmarine in Spanish waters in the course of the regular duties, and German cilvilian officials).

None of this tell us who actually received the awards, but the intention to reward everyone who had been part of the Legion Condor is clear.

[Scott]

According to what I've read, 26,116 Spanish Crosses of all types (not including NOK medals) were awarded, and this lines up with the total number of LC volunteers involved in the war (1936-39). So I think the answer is yes - all LC members received a Spanish Cross of one type or another. :cheers:

[Richard Gordon]

Guys

Many thanks for the detail and the total. I just wasn't sure of the official stance or the if the total awarded added up to the number of volunteers.

Rich

[Jacques]

Hi Gordon,

I guess that all the LC members were awarded with the spnish cross , at least when entitled to according to the regulations mentioned by James.

The KIA were awarded either with the SC bronze, silver or Gold, depending of the action in which they lost their live. The family received the Next of kin cross.

friendly

jacques

[James Clark]

According to what I've read, 26,116 Spanish Crosses of all types (not including NOK medals) were awarded, and this lines up with the total number of LC volunteers involved in the war (1936-39). So I think the answer is yes - all LC members received a Spanish Cross of one type or another.

According to Doehle and others, the total number of Spanish Crosses awarded was 26,116. But the total with swords was only 17,920. To get the number for Legion Condor members you'd then have to subtract the number of Kriegsmarine personnel who qualified for the award with swords for participating in the actions at Ibiza, Almeria or Palma. I don't know how many that would amount to.