250th I.D. Spanish "Blue" Division. A VERY brave Spanish Soldier.

Spanish Grenadier Antonio Ponte, of the 250th I.D. the Spanish "Blue" Division.

On Feb 10/ 1943 the Russians launched a huge attack on and near the Krasny Bor area. They had 33,000 Infantrymen and at least 60 T-34 tanks attacking in this sector alone. The German forces in this sector were the Spanish "Blue" Division and the SS-Polizei Division.

The Russians shattered part of the German Main Line of Resistance and T-34s and Infantry poured through the cracks in their lines.

Grenadier Antonio Ponte alone attacked a group of 7 Russian T-34 tanks, knocking out most of them before being killed in this action. For his action that day--he not only helped stem the Russian attack--but also helped save many of his comrades lives by giving his own.

He was posthumously awarded Spains highest valor award for his actions, he was awarded the: "Laureda San Fernando"

I posted this as I thought that he definately deserved to be remembered.

[ 29 September 2002, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

 

Indeed he deserves to be remembered as well as all the 18.000 men who served in the División Azul. I actually met a veteran when I lived in Spain and some two nationalist veterans of the civil war. And actually, here in Mexico are plenty of republican veterans still alive. We must remember that nearly 1.500.000 Spanish people came to this country as refugees.

 

Well, you know me....

http://www.angelfire.com/nj/ww2/spanishvolunteers.html

http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/1939/blue_div_chronology.htm


http://axis101.bizland.com/SpanishAwards3.htm

http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/1939/spanish_in_ww2.htm

http://www.feldgrau.com/250i.html



[ 14. August 2003, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]

 

¡Olé! ¡Y que viva la madre patria!

Those were nice sites with wonderful pictures. I had a very bizarre ones og Generalleutnant Agustín Muñoz Grandes and Generalleutnant Emilio Esteban Infantes, but I think I lost them...

 

I just got some Flemish Volunteer books. One mentions lying next to the Spanish div. The Flemish liked them a lot. Except when they mounted raids on the Flemish for pieces of their equipment. Sometimes they were not too accurate when time was concerned. They seemed to keep their own time-table sometimes, but their fighting capabilities were recognized and appreciated. But they Flemish had their flank exposed once or twice during an attack and the saw the Azuls advance too far! I think this was after Krasny Bor, near Narwa...

 

Thank you Friedrich, Kai and Stevin. The only think I now know about the award is that it came in 5 classes.

 

Bitte sehr, Herr Generalfeldmarschall!

Stevin, those are nice stories! I think we should ask PzJgr for some good Spanish volunteers...

 

Yes. I read about Ponte when I was researching my next novel. The Spaniards may have had their faults, as far as keeping weapons clean, and chasing skirts. But, I think what Nimitz said about the Marines on Iwo Jima would fit for the Division Azul. "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."

 

Hey guys, since we're talking about exceptionally brave soldiers here, this guy might interest you-
Fritz Christen of the 3rd SS Div Totenkopf- Fritz Christen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I stumbled across this guy a year or two ago.
Hope you enjoy

 

I have read quite a bit about Fritz Christen - he was certainly a brave and outstanding soldier.

 

His deeds sound very familiar to me because, one of his Brother Waffen SS-men and RKT by the name of Remy Schrijnen/friend of mine, did something very similar as Fritz Christen. Also, if im not mistaken? and I probably am? I think he also won the DKiG? but ill have to check on that to be for sure-if I can remember to do so?