Spanish Made "Blue Division" 1939 Iron Cross First Class.

[ChrisKelly]

"EK1 of early Spanish production. One-piece brass manufacture, the core area painted black, high vaulted, pin-back with two side hooks. 40mm x 40mm. A rare specimen. The volunteers of the so-called “Blue Division 250 – Infantry Division” were awarded these upon returning to Spain if they had earned the Iron Cross First Class. The Spanish veterans were eligible to wear this on their uniform in Spain through 1975.

 

This is the Type A version produced between 1943 and 1950, in small quantities.

 

The 250th Infantry Division (German: 250. Infanterie-Division), better known as the Blue Division (Spanish: División Azul, German: Blaue Division), was a unit of volunteers from Francoist Spain operating from 1941 to 1944 within the German Army (Wehrmacht) on the Eastern Front during World War II. It was officially designated the Spanish Volunteer Division (Spanish: División Española de Voluntarios) by the Spanish Army."

 

Source:

 

https://www.militariasales.com/product/spanish-blue-division-german-iron-cross-1st-class-breast-badge/

 

[VtwinVince]

Interesting, haven't seen one with the side hooks before.

[ChrisKelly]

Source:

 

https://www.militariasales.com/product/spanish-blue-division-german-1939-iron-cross-spanish-made/

 

Edited December 24, 2024 by ChrisKelly

[xxx]

very interesting variant, found another one https://www.todocoleccion.net/militaria-medallas/orden-cruz-hierro-made-in-spain~x469653452

 

 

[xxx]

the only pic with a iron cross was this one. not much to see. so find an post war pic with an old soldier wearing this iron cross would be a gamble.

[Droocoo]

I have always found that the stippling on the enamel of these Spanish-made cores gives them a leathery appearance. Interesting crosses, have never seen them with hooks on the reverse. Where is the proof that these were theatre made? I can see nothing in Maerz or Previttera about their manufacture

[ChrisKelly]

My understanding is that they're actually Spanish manufacture.  They look fake, but they are genuine, although not of German manufacture.

[Droocoo]

Yes they look like the other examples that I have seen, and actually they do appear in Maerz. 

[Supernaut]

Spanish made for sure, difficult to say which maker

 

Nacho