It seems the issue of removing Franco was discussed in Potsdam 1945. Anyone know the reasons why he wasn´t "kicked out" even if he had the fascist background? I mean it´s harder to discuss the fate of the eastern Bloc etc if you didn´t clean up your own "backyard"?

http://countrystudies.us/spain/24.htm

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Since Spain stayed neutral during the conflict it is hard for me to imageine that the allies could think of doing anything at all to Franco. If Spain would have joined the Axis or been an aggressor of any kind, then I could see it being an issue. It wasn't the facism that was the issue with Germany, it was the aggression, right?

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PEOPLE SLEEP PEACEABLY IN THEIR BEDS AT NIGHT ONLY BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE ON THEIR BEHALF. GEORGE ORWELL

Fascism was removed everywhere else so personally not surprised that Stalin wanted to get rid of Franco ( =pal of Hitler ).

Back in WW2 fascism was synonym for aggression so in that sense Franco should have been forced to go...

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Also, did Stalin know of the Blue Division's existence? That would warrant some kind involvement.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

PzJgr, what is the Blue Division? I have never heard any reference to this.

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PEOPLE SLEEP PEACEABLY IN THEIR BEDS AT NIGHT ONLY BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE ON THEIR BEHALF. GEORGE ORWELL

The Blue Division was an all-volunteer force that was formed in 1941 and that received its name from the Falangist Party uniform that its members initially wore. When the division reached Germany in July 1941, the Germans reorganized it along German lines, assigning it the number 250. In addition, they issued the force German uniforms and equipment, although some continued to wear their blue shirts. All members swore allegiance to Hitler, although the wording specified that the oath applied only to "the battle against Bolshevism." The Blue Division first saw action under the German 38th Corps in October 1941. The following August, the division was assigned to the Leningrad front and suffered more than 2,000 casualties repelling a Soviet attack in February 1943.

Allied pressure and a change in Spanish policy effected the return of the Blue Division to Spain in 1943, but the Spanish Legion--volunteers from the Blue Division--remained until spring 1944.

Spanish casualties were heavy for the numbers engaged. Forty-seven thousand served in the division at different times; 22,000 became casualties, 4,500 were killed, and fewer than 300 were repatriated from the Soviet Union in 1954. Many received German and Spanish decorations.

In addition to the Blue Division, the Spaniards also provided five Blue Squadrons. These squadrons escorted German bombers on missions supporting Army Group Center. They returned to Spain with the Spanish Legion after shooting down 156 aircraft and losing only 22 men killed or missing.

Spaniards also fought for the Allies. About 70 belonged to that part of Layforce that was not evacuated from Crete. In addition, Spaniards fought with the French resistance in southern France, and many fought in France's Zouave units.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!

Thanks PzJgr. I am always learning something new here.

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PEOPLE SLEEP PEACEABLY IN THEIR BEDS AT NIGHT ONLY BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE ON THEIR BEHALF. GEORGE ORWELL

Ah! Anything for a fellow Texan. Glad to provide some insight.

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American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!