I think the story should take place between El Caudillos palace and the front.

Part one Francos discussions with The Germans Part Two Recruitment and arrival. June 1941 Part Three Reenactment of communist atrocity during the civil warSuners speech Russia es culpea. Part Four Training and March Noted for the good looking spaniards seducing germans and russians alike. Part Five Bombardement of Leningrad Part Six The First Action As the Russians attacked in the Leningrad area the Germans brought in the 7th Flieger Division as reinforcements for Eighteenth Army (Lucas, 1988). The first units to arrive were 1st and 3rd Battalions of 1st Para Regiment, and 2nd Battalion of the divisional assault regiment. On the night of 29/30 Sep 1941 1st and 3rd Battalion took positions of 1st Infantry Division southwards along the Neva from the Schlusselburg to Viborogskaya. 2nd Assault Battalion went straight from transports into action. With the aid of No. 2 Company of the Para anti-aircraft machine-gun battalion they reduced the Petroschkino bridgehead where the Russians had managed to get several armoured fighting vehicles over the river. Over the next few days the Russians repeatedly tried to retake their postions, but were driven off. On the night of 12/13 Oct the II/269 battalion fought the first action of the 250th (Blue) Division (Scurr, 1980). Spanish outposts surprised and stopped a Soviet battalion from crossing the Volkhov under cover of darkness at Kapella Nova. The Russians left behind 50 dead and 80 prisoners. Mid Oct - Dec 1941 The HQ of 7th Flieger Division arrived on the Neva (Lucas, 1988). The divisional Engineer Battalion was the last of the division to arrive. Whilst the rest of the battalion reinforced 3rd Regiment at Viborgskaya, No. 3 Company of the Engineer Battalion was sent to reinforce 328th Infantry Regiment in Siniavino woods. The 110 man company were given the task of clearing Russian trenches which had been pushed forward to within 200 m of the one of the battalion HQ of 328th Regiment. The Engineers attacked, took the trenches, and blew up a T-34 in the process, then held off Russian counter attacks. During the rest of the day they killed 250 enemy, took 200 prisoners, and knocked out two tanks. Constant fighting radically reduced the numbers in the companies. As a consequent the Para Engineer Battalion was pulled out of the line on 16 Nov and the Division in Dec. All returned to German 16 Oct - 18 Nov 1941: Tikhvin Operation Tikhvin Operation (Glantz, 2001). The Germans attacked toward Tikhvin on 16 Oct 1941. The Russians launched their own offensive toward Siniavino on 20 Oct, but it made little headway. On 23 Oct the Russians ordered reinforcements to Tikhvin. On 28 Oct the Russians called off their offensive toward Siniavino, but launched a counterattack near Tikhvin from 2 to 5 Nov. None-the-less the Germans captured Tikhvin on 8 Nov.

16 Oct 1941 The Spanish repulsed a second Russian assault by artillery and infantry (Proctor, 1974). I/269 Battalion - the hardest hit unit - suffered four dead and many wounded, but the Russians lost 40 dead and another 80 prisoners. During the 250th (Blue) Division's first week on the line the Russians and Spanish bombarded each others positions (Proctor, 1974). The Spanish also sent small parties across the Volkhov in rubber boats, where they discovered the Russians were entrenched in considerable strength. 18 - 19 Oct 1941 In the bitter cold of early winter, two platoons of the II/269 battalion crossed the Volkhov at Udarnik on the night of 18-19 Oct (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). This was the start of an offensive, made jointly with German troops, intended to complete the encirclement of Leningrad by connecting with the Finns to the east of the Ladoga. The lead elements established a bridgehead and other units including a company of III/263 battalion followed. The later company took causalities, including the company commander, from Russian mortars and machine guns. The Spanish infantry were and supported by Spanish and German artillery, but also faced Russian artillery and mortar fire. During the battle for the bridgehead German artillery accidentally fired on Spanish positions. By the evening of the 19th the Spanish had secured the bridgehead - they named the bridgehead "Posicin Navarro" in honour of a captain who had died in a Russian artillery barrage two days earlier. [Crossfire Scenario] 20 Oct 1941 The remainder of the II/269 battalion followed the advance guard across the Volkhov (Scurr, 1980) and the Spanish expanded their positions, taking Smeisko on the highway to Novgorod (Proctor, 1974). 21 - 22 Oct 1941 The II/269 battalion occupied Russa, and Sitno (Scurr, 1980). Soviet machine gun emplacements offered stiff resistance in the woods between Russ and Sitno. Several large forces of the Soviet 52nd Army counter attacked against Sitno. Both sides suffered heavy losses, with the Russians losing 200 dead and 400 prisoners. Continuous Russian artillery fire did not prevent the Spaniards reinforcing the bridgehead. 23 Oct 1941 An early morning Soviet attack supported by artillery penetrated to the centre of Sitno (Scurr, 1980). Comandante Romn lead men of II/269 in close quarter fighting to drive them out again. The Russian retreated after suffering heavy losses. [Crossfire Scenario] 27 Oct 1941 The Russians brought up sizable reserves and counter-attacked the Spanish bridgehead (Proctor, 1974). The Russian infantry managed to reach within 30 m of the Spanish positions before being driven off.

28 Oct 1941 On 28 Oct the Russians called off their offensive toward Siniavino (Glantz, 2001). III/263 battalion occupied Tigoda (Scurr, 1980). 250 Mobile Reserve Battalion took Dubrovka, turned south and attacked 'the Barracks', a Soviet strong point established in stone buildings at Muravji (Scurr, 1980). The Spaniards were driven back by heavy automatic fire. 29 Oct 1941 III/263 battalion occupied Nitlikino (Scurr, 1980). Germans captured Shevelevo, Otenski, Possad and Posselok during this period (Proctor, 1974, says the Spanish captured them, but Scurr, 1980, has the Spanish taking over the positions from Germans on 8 Nov). The 250 Mobile Reserve Battalion attacked the Barracks again, this time backed by three batteries of 10.5 cm guns (Scurr, 1980). The Soviet machine guns drove them back with heavy loss, and the battalion retired again. In their two attacks the battalion had suffered 50% losses (Proctor, 1974) Early Nov 1941 The Spanish positions on the east bank suffered continuous attacks by Soviet infantry, artillery and aircraft (Scurr, 1980). 2 - 5 Nov 1941 Russians counterattacked near Tikhvin (Glantz, 2001). 2 Nov 1941 Spanish repulsed a strong Russian attack at Nikitkino (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). Russian dead 221; Spanish 15 dead and 55 wounded. 6 Nov 1941 By 6 Nov the Spanish front had stabilised (Scurr, 1980). Temperature dropped to -15 C (Proctor, 1974) and rivers and streams began to freeze (Glantz, 2001). The Volkhov froze enough to allow heavy motor vehicles to cross (Scurr, 1980). Part Seven The Cold 2 Dec 1941 Temperature -31 C (Proctor, 1974). 3rd Company in I/269 battalion repulsed Russian attack. Russian artillery and aerial bombardment continued; Russians use American Martin Bombers. 3 Dec 1941 The Russian 54th Army attacked I Army Corps west of Volkhov with a new shock group including four rifle divisions, one rifle brigade and one tank brigade (Glantz,

2001). They drove the German flank southwards, encircling and destroying several companies from 254th Infantry Division. Temperature -30 C and Russians continued their attacks on the Spanish positions (Proctor, 1974). 4 Dec 1941 In -38 C frost four Soviet infantry regiments, supported by artillery, mortars and aircraft, attacked the Spanish positions east of the Volkhov (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). The units of 263 Regiment at Nikitkino and 250 Mobile Reserve Battalion at Dubrovka were particularly heavily hit by the artillery barrage. II/263 threw back Russian attacks at Otenski and Possad (100 dead). It took the garrison of the Otenski monastery (2 companies of assault engineers and an anti-tank gunners, supported by 2 artillery batteries) four hours to see off the Soviet battalion attacking them. 269 Regiment also repulsed the attack at Shevelevo (25 dead). After nine hours the situation stablised, although Possad was still under massive Russian assault. The remnants of I/269 returned to Possad to reinforce the defenders. The Russians also infiltrated Spanish units on Lake Ilmen. Spanish losses for the day were 18 dead and 97 wounded. 5 Dec 1941 Marshal Zhukov launched Russians on their Winter offensive (Scurr, 1980). Russian Air, artillery, mortar and infantry attacks on the Spanish positions continued unabated in -30 C temperatures (Proctor, 1974). . 6 Dec 1941 Temperature -31 C (Proctor, 1974). At 0800 hours Russians began intensive artillery and mortar attack on Possad - the barrage was maintained all day. Spanish repulsed attack at Nikitkino. Spanish repulsed Russian attacks launched on Possad at 1700 hours. None-the-less the Spanish position had become dire - they would have withdrawn except it would have exposed units on their northern flank. 7 Dec 1941 The day the USA came into the war (Proctor, 1974). Russian attacks on the Spanish positioins continued in -40 C cold (Proctor, 1974). The defenders weakening with 269 Regiment alone losing 30 dead and 30 wounded. The German command ordered all exposed units to withdraw to the west bank of the Volkhov. As the Russian attackers withdrew in exhaustion, the Spanish in Possad began to evacuate at 2100 hours and retired quietly to Otenski (Scurr, 1980, although Proctor, 1974, says the evacuation began on 8 Dec). 8 Dec 1941 The mauled Assault Engineer company of Captain Guillermo Diaz were probably the last to leave Possad, as they were ordered out at 0700 hours on 8 Dec (Proctor, 1974). The combined Spanish force in Otenski retired to Schevelevo (Scurr, 1980; date is conjectural but based on Proctors, 1974, assertion that the evacuation of the east

bank started on 8 Dec; Proctor also says the Spanish evacuated Poselok at the same time as Otenski, however, this would imply they'd recaptured it after abandoning it on 12 Nov). 9 Dec 1941 With the Russian 4th Army advancing from three sides, the outflanked Germans abandoned Tikhvin (Glantz, 2001). As the three German divisions retreated 151st Regiment (61st Infantry Division) and 11th and 12th Companies of 51st Panzergrenadier Regiment (18th Motorised Division) formed the rearguard. Already heavily reduced to the previous fighting and the cold, the 151st Regiment suffered further heavy casualties and the Panzergrenadier companies were wiped out completely. The Russians took the village in the evening. 10 Dec 1941 The Spanish abandoned Sitno, Tigoda, and Nikithino (Proctor, 1974). 11 Dec 1941 The Spanish evacuated Smeisko and Posicin Navarro - the original bridgehead on the east bank (Proctor, 1974). The last of the Spanish recrossed the now frozen Volkhov to the west bank (from Proctor, although Scurr, 1980, gives the date as 10 Dec). During the month of combat 269 Regiment alone lost 120 dead, 440 wounded and 20 missing (from Scurr, although Proctor gives a total of 566). III/263 Battalion lost 196 men, mostly from 2nd company which was left with one officer and nine other ranks. The Assault Engineers were down to 40% effectives. Part 8 Christmas 1941 Franco News of the massacre nailed to the ground and the revenge. 24 Dec 1941 The Soviets attacked Udarnik and Gorka (Scurr, 1980). The Spaniards defended "as though nailed to the ground" - fulfilling an order from General Grandes. 26 Dec 1941 A Spanish platoon under Alferez Moscoso established a strong point between Udarnik and Lubkovo (Scurr, 1980). Yet another 'Intermediate'. 27 Dec 1941 The Russian 4th and 52nd Armies finally reached the Volkhov river near Kirishi, Gruzino and north of Novgorod, and seized bridgeheads across the river, but Kirishi and Tigoda Station remained in German hands (Glantz, 2001). Early in the morning of 27 Dec 1941 Soviet forces attempted to infiltrate to the rear of the Spanish positions, leading to heavy fighting at the Intermediate (Scurr, 1980). At 6.30 am a Russian battalion, with artillery support, attacked and penetrated Udarnik. Commandante Romn's II/269 drove them out and southward. At 10 am, the II/269 met 3 companies of the I/269 (under Rebull) moving north from Lubkovo. They found the Spanish defenders of the Intermediate naked, mutilated, and nailed to the

ground with their own bayonets and picks. Rebull then led two companies of the I/269 battalion, supported by German 7.5 cm artillery, against a Russian Battalion that had taken the 'Old Chapel' - a half ruined church near Lubkovo (Scurr, 1980). The Russians quickly fled back across the Volkhov and Spanish fire decimated them on the frozen river. [Crossfire Scenario] Part 9 Skis and sleds 8 Jan 1942 As a result of the Soviet Winter Offensive, and of Hitler's order to hold at any cost, the Russians smashed the German 290th Division south of Lake Ilmen (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). By 8 Jan 543 men of this Division were trapped in the village of Vsvad (under Captain Prhl), surrounded by the Russian 71st Ski Battalion and without outside contact. The 250th (Blue) Division were asked to reestablish contact with the Vsvad garrison. 9 Jan 1942 Captain Ords of the 5th Anti-tank Company was given command of the Ski company at Spasspiskopez on north-west shore of Lake Ilmen (Scurr, 1980; Proctor, 1974, suggests Ords was commander from their origin in Nov 1941). 10 Jan 1942 At 0600 hours on 10 Jan 1942 the Ski company set out in -40 C temperatures, heading south over the surface of Lake Ilmen (Scurr, 1980; Proctor, 1974 says 0800 hours and -33 C). Ords had 206 Spaniards and 70 horse-drawn sleighs with Russian drivers. The sleighs contained ammunition, provisions for three days, and a pedal powered radio. Out on the lake temperatures dropped to -56 C. The rough ice and open stretches of water forced the company to take many detours, and the 30 km journey took 24 hours. 11 Jan 1942 On 11 Jan 1942 Ords' exhausted men made contact with a German patrol from Ustrika, and took shelter in their cabins (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). At 1010 hours Ords made his first radio report to the Division, and it was good news. Their overnight ordeal had caused 102 frostbite cases, 18 of which were very serious resulting in subsequent amputations. None-the-less Ords was ordered to continue his mission and so he established his HQ at Pagost Ushin and sent his men out to reconnoiter. 13 - 15 Jan 1942 After regrouping for some days, the Volkhov Front (2nd Shock, 59th, 4th and 52nd Armies) and Leningrad Front (54th Army) resumed the offensive on 13 Jan, this time with proper artillery preparation (Glantz, 2001). Between 13 and 15 Jan the 2nd Shock Army drove into the gap between 126th and 215th Infantry Divisions. Its neighbouring units, 4th and 52nd Armies, failed to keep up and went on the defensive on 14/15 Jan. The 54th Army also attacked on 13 Jan and took Pogost'e on 17 Jan, but made little further progress against 269th Infantry Division (and its supports).

13 Jan 1942 Russians attacked between Godorok and Dubvizy (Scurr, 1980). The attackers penetrated to Finev Lug, Miassojbor and Lujbino Pole, and established a pocket on the west bank of the Volkhov. Subsequently Commandante Romn's II/269 Battalion was detached from the 250th (Blue) Division to operate against the Volkhov pocket. 14 Jan 1942 With temperatures below -40 C frostbite had reduced Ords' Ski company to 76 effectives (Scurr, 1980). 17 Jan 1942 Fediuninsky's 54th Army captured Pogost'e (Glantz, 2001). 2nd Shock Army resumed its own attack and advanced 5-10 km before halting. Latvians of the 81st Division joined forces with Ords Ski company (Proctor, 1974; Scurr, 1980). In -21 C cold Lieutenant Otero de Arce took men of the Ski company and 40 Latvian soldiers on a reconnaissance to the south-east. Passing through Maloye Utschno and Bolshoye Utschno, they encountered Russians at Shiloy Tschernez. De Arce assaulted the Russian positions and drove them out at bayonet point. Two of his squads advanced to the next village to the south - Pnikovo - but the defenders (six T-26 tanks and two battalions of infantry) drove the imprudent squads back and forced De Arce's main force out of Shiloy Tschernez. De Arce and a rearguard of 36 Spaniards made a stand at Bolshoye Utschno allowing the wounded to escape by sleigh. The Lieutenant and a few survivors later escaped under cover of darkness. Of the 36 men in the rear guard, 16 were killed and 16 wounded. (Scurr actually says De Arce started with 36 Spaniards, but I've chosen to accept Proctor's assertion that this was the number in the rear-guard. Given the company only had 76 effectives on 14 Jan this may be incorrect.) 18 Jan 1942 Temperature -22 C (Proctor, 1974). 23 Spaniards and 19 Latvians, under Alfrez Lpez de Santiago and other Alfrez, retraced the path of De Arce and entrenched at Maloye Utschno (Scurr, 1980). Overnight a swarm Russian ski troops, backed by tanks and artillery, assaulted Maloye Utschno (Scurr, 1980). The defenders claimed the Russian infantry were primed on Vodka and rushed into the explosions of their own grenades. Overwhelmed the surviving defenders abandoned the shattered and burning village. 19 Jan 1942 At day break Lieutenant Otero de Arce led a rescue party towards Maloye Utschno (Scurr, 1980). This group had eight Spaniards, two German platoons, and a Pz IV tank. They recovered the only survivors from Maloye Utschno: Alfrez Lpez de Santiago, four other Spaniards and two Latvians. 20 Jan 1942 Captain Prhl and his men of 290th Division broke out of Vsvad after dark and headed west across Lake Ilmen. (?? I can't remember who mentioned this but probably Proctor, 1974, or Scurr, 1980 - must look it up ??)

21 Jan 1942 2nd Shock Army pushed on once again, this time capturing several German strongpoints, including Spasskaia Polist, Mostki, Zemtitsy and Miasnoi Bor (Glantz, 2001). Lieutenant Otero de Arce, with only six men, headed west across Lake Ilmen (Scurr, 1980). At 0530 hours they met Prhl and his men - mission complete. Ords reported the Ski company down to 34 men (Proctor, 1974). 24 Jan 1942 Gusev's 13th Cavalry Corps (25th and 87th Cavalry Divisions, plus an attached Rifle Division) passed through 2nd Shock Army into the German rear (Glantz, 2001). The 59th and 52nd Armies failed to expand the base of the penetration, and the Germans contained the 13th Cavalry and 2nd Shock in the swamps south of Liuban. The surviving 34 men of the Spanish ski company, German infantry of the 81st Division, and several Pz IV tanks attacked south in temperatures below -58 C (Scurr, 1980). They took Maloye Utschno, Bolshoye Utschno, and Shiloy Tschernez, with the Spanish leading the way with hand grenades. Ords's men reached Shiloy Tschernez half an hour before the German infantry arrived. 25 Jan 1942 The Spanish ski company reached its lowest level, 12 combatants (Scurr, 1980; Proctor, 1974), and was allowed to return to the division. Subsequently the company was reorganised with Lieutenant Otero de Arce assuming command. Part 10 retraining and traquility arrival of new reserves and snatch squads with meat cleavers Part 11 Franco Part 12 The of Krasny Bor Krasny Bor was a substantial town of brick dwellings, lying astride both the Moscowto-Leningrad highway and the October Railway. The town lay within the alluvial plain of the Ishora River, the river being to the west of the town. The Spanish defences centered on an elaborate series of trenches called "El Trnicheron". A redoubt ("El Bastion") strengthened the line where the entrenchments crossed an old Russian anti-tank ditch. The German 5th Mountain Division was on the Blue Division's right flank. The 4 SS Polizei Division was also to the right of the Spanish (beyond the 5th?) but could not assist during the battle as it was expecting a Soviet offensive on its own front. A regiment of the German 212th Division was promised as a reinforcement for Krasny Bor. During this entire period the temperature was below -25 C. (Apparently there is a board game called "Black Wednesday" about the Battle of Krasni Bor. Units are platoons; turns are 20 minutes; hexes are 125 yards; designed

by David A. Friedrichs. There is also a scenario for TOAW called "Arriba Espana! Krasni Bor crucible" covering this battle) 10 February 1943 "Black Wednesday" At 06.40 a massive Soviet bombardment hit the Spanish sector. For over two hours 800 Soviet guns and mortars blanketed the area from the Spanish front lines; killing men, and destroying trenches and command posts. At 08.00 the barrage left the front lines and moved the rear zone setting alight buildings including the town of Krasny Bor itself but also the Hospital at Raikelevo to the south-west. "Everything was noise, fire, shouts, mud, snow and blood." Half the Spanish losses of the day were incurred during this bombardment. The 1st Company of I/262, 6th company of II/262 and 2nd Company of the 250 Mobile Reserve suffered the worst artillery concentrations. Despite air attacks and chaos on the roads, General Infantes made it to Raikelevo where he found his command post intact. From this position he tried to direct the defence. At 08.00, as the bombardment left the front lines, massed Soviet armour and infantry assaulted the already shattered Spanish line. Each of the four Soviet Divisions advanced on its own axis of attack. Eastern Sector / October Railway In the east the 3rd Company of I/262 under Captain Ruiz de Huidrobo were dug in on the embankment of the October railway. By 08.50 they had repulsed two attacks by Soviet T-34s backed by infantry of the 63rd Division. The fighting had, however, taken its toll, and the company was down to a quarter of its strength - only 40 men still manned the trenches and bunkers on the embankment.. A third assault penetrated the right flank of the company, and the Spaniards found themselves encircled with enemy tanks to their flank. Captain Huidrobo was killed and the Spanish position overrun (14.30). By 08.45 the HQ of I/262 and the shattered 1st Company of I/262 were destroyed by the Soviet on-slaught. The Ski company of the Division tried to come to the rescue of the front line units but was suppressed by Soviet air attacks. At 0900 the 3rd Squadron (Captain Andujar) of the 250 Reconnaissance Group was sent to close the gap in I/262's line. Captain Andujar and 20 men counter-attacked the advancing elements of 63rd Division. The section was overrun and the wounded bayoneted. The wounded Captain Andujar was subsequently found by other men of his Squadron and evacuated to the Hospital in Krasny Bor. At 10.00 elements of the I/262 - primarily 3rd company - escaped from their encircled positions on the October Railway, and along with the survivors of the Ski Company, began falling back toward Krasny Bor. At some point - presumably during the retreat - the 3rd Company resist two Soviet attacks from within a swamp. East-Central Sector / Krasny Bor In the centre the 5th company and shattered 6th company of II/262 faced solid blocks of advancing T-34 tanks and infantry. The Soviets pierced the wooded line between the 5th and 6th companies and rumbled toward Krasny Bor.

Despite a core of the II/262 - 30 men of 5th Company - holding out in the front line positions, the Soviet tanks and infantry attacked Krasny Bor. The HQ of II/262 (Payeras) and 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Manjon) vainly tried to stop them. By 10.30 the majority of the town was in Soviet hands and Russian units were attacking the command post of the 262 and the Hospital on the southern edge of the town. Men of the 262 Headquarters (Colonel Sagrado), 1st Artillery Group, the Assault Sappers Group (Bellod) and remnants of other units furiously fought back to save the wounded in the Hospital. By 13.00 Spanish grenades, bottles of petrol, magnetic mines and bayonet charges forced the Soviets out of the town, and allowed the wounded to be evacuated to Sablino. To the north of Krasny Bor, the 30 remaining men of the 5th Company of the II/262 run out of ammunition in the mid afternoon and were overrun. By 17.00 the majority of the surviving Spanish abandoned Krasny Bor after 12 hours of fighting. Men of the 262, Anti-tanks, Sappers, Reconnaissance, and other units retreated southwards through Sablino woods. Men of the 1st Artillery Group were the last to leave, escaping at midnight. West-Central Sector / Moscow-to-Leningrad Highway Slightly to the west of the Soviet breakthrough toward Krasny Bor, the defense of the 7th Company of II/262 was centred around El Bastion - a fortified strongpoint on an old Soviet anti-tank ditch. None-the-less the elements of both the 6th and 7th company were pushed back to the Moscow-to-Leningrad highway by the Soviet 43rd Division. The men of II/262, along with the 3rd Sapper Company (Captain Aramburu) and the 8th Machine Gun Company, continued to resist along the highway. By 14.00 the Sapper company had been surrounded for more than an hour. None the less, the Sappers, along with the men of the II/262 fought on at the highway until nightfall. After dark the 150 survivors made their escape to the southeast and safety in the Sablino woods. They had been fighting for 23 hours. Western Sector / Ishora River By 08.45 the 250 Reserve Battalion in the west had dissolved under the massive onslaught of the Soviet 72nd Division supported by Tanks. The 2nd Company (Ulzurun) of the 250 Mobile Reserve had previously been smashed by the artillery barrage leaving the 3rd company (Captain Oroquieta) alone to face the ensuing onslaught. This company was quickly reduced from 196 effectives to 60. Captain Miranda - the Battalion commander - led his headquarters group in a charge to reach his front line units, but was engulfed by a wave of Soviets. By noon only two of the Battalion's platoons were still fighting. In the afternoon the remaining 13 men of 3rd company - including Captain Oroquieta - were forced to surrender. By 13.30 the Blue Division reserves had been brought up to the Ishora River. I/263 Battalion was in position at Samsonovka and Podolovo on the west back of the Ishora to stop any Soviet advance through Staraia Myza. The 3rd Company and the 4th Machine gun Company of the I/263 repulsed Soviet Infantry attacking across the river at Podolovo around noon. Throughout the afternoon these companies from the I/263, and the III/262, continued to defend the river line - at the paper factory in the loop of the Ishora, and south of Samsonovka - against strong attacks by tanks and infantry of the Soviet 72nd Division. 5th company II/263 was positioned at Raikolovo even further south General As the battle dissolved into chaos the Soviet attackers took to plundering the Spanish bunkers.

At 14.00 squadrons of German fighter-bombers bombed the Soviets in the Kolpino zone. At 16.30 a German regiment of the 212th Division moved to a line from the Moscow-to-Leningrad highway to the northern edge of the Sablino Wood. Another regiment took the line from the first regiment to Raikelevo in the west. The Latvian and Flemish Legions were merged with these two units to form the new 112th Division. [I have seen an account where the Soviets had only 3 Divisions: 72nd attacking in the west, the 63rd Guards in the centre attacking Krasny Bor, and the 43rd attacking the October Railway. There is no mention of the 45th Division. Glantz (2001, 2002) has the 63rd attacking the Spanish with the 45th attacking the Division to the east presumably 4 SS Police Division - and doesn't mention the 72nd. I've chosen to go with the Spanish sources I've found.] 11 February 1943 At dawn Soviet artillery began pounding the Spanish at the loop in the Ishora River, including the paper factory. This area was defended by the III/262 and hundreds of survivors from various units smashed the previous day. The Spanish repulsed, and inflicted heavy losses on, an Soviet infantry attack just before 08.00. At that point the battle for Krasny Bor was over. The Spanish suffered 3,645 casualties from the 5,608 men deployed during the 26 hours of battle = 75% casualties. They, however, inflicted about 11,000 Soviet casualties, a high price for the relatively small piece of land gained. Hostilities continued in the Ishora sector, with the Spanish taking about 30 casualties a day. Part 14

18 Oct 1943
The 250th (Blue) Division handed over their positions to the German 81st Division. Aside from those who volunteered to continue in service as part of the Spanish Volunteer Legion or "Blue Legion", the men were gradually returned to Spain.

23 Dec 1943
The 250th (Blue) Division left active service.

Part 15 Return to Madrid Part 16 Return of the 300 on Semiramis