Preserving the History of World War II
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| Eldred World War II Museum Copyright © 2007. Joseph Bradley. All Rights Reserved. Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220 |
Spain
The Eldred World War II Museum
Spain was recovering from a brutal civil war by the time World War II had begun. The Fascist
government of Francisco Franco rose to power with the help of German and Italian forces during
the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from July 1936 to April 1939. The Spanish Civil War would
become the training ground for Hitler's war machine, particularly the Luftwaffe (German Air Force).
Spain, despite sharing much in common with Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy, choose not to
join the Axis Powers. However, Spain did not officially declare its' neutrality until the summer of
1943.
Although a neutral country, Spanish "volunteers" were dispatched for the German campaign against
the Soviet Union. Franco's fascist forces had been engaged against communist opposition, which
had the support of the Soviet Union, during the Spanish Civil War. It is believed these forces were
encouraged by Franco to participate under the guise of volunteers in order to help crush
communism, yet at the same time allow Spain to remain officially neutral.
Francisco Franco would remain in power until 1975 and would become a key American ally during
the Cold War in part for his hatred of Communism.
government of Francisco Franco rose to power with the help of German and Italian forces during
the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from July 1936 to April 1939. The Spanish Civil War would
become the training ground for Hitler's war machine, particularly the Luftwaffe (German Air Force).
Spain, despite sharing much in common with Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy, choose not to
join the Axis Powers. However, Spain did not officially declare its' neutrality until the summer of
1943.
Although a neutral country, Spanish "volunteers" were dispatched for the German campaign against
the Soviet Union. Franco's fascist forces had been engaged against communist opposition, which
had the support of the Soviet Union, during the Spanish Civil War. It is believed these forces were
encouraged by Franco to participate under the guise of volunteers in order to help crush
communism, yet at the same time allow Spain to remain officially neutral.
Francisco Franco would remain in power until 1975 and would become a key American ally during
the Cold War in part for his hatred of Communism.
Affiliation: Neutral
Entered the War: N/A
Killed in Action: N/A*
*Discounts Spanish volunteers
Entered the War: N/A
Killed in Action: N/A*
*Discounts Spanish volunteers
