When did Francisco Franco write to Adolf Hitler offering to join World War II?
Francisco Franco wrote to Adolf Hitler on the 19th of June 1940. This letter marked a shift from official neutrality to non-belligerence following the Fall of France.
Questions about Spain during World War II
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the meeting between Hitler and Franco at Hendaye in October 1940?
Hitler and Franco met only once at Hendaye, France on the 23rd of October 1940 to fix the details of an alliance. No agreement was reached because Franco demanded too much territory and resources while Hitler threatened annexation of Spanish territory by Vichy France.
How many men served in the Blue Division or División Azul during World War II?
The Blue Division or División Azul under Agustín Muñoz Grandes numbered 18,104 men in all. It included 2,612 officers and 15,492 soldiers who trained in Germany before serving in the Siege of Leningrad.
Who saved thousands of Jews in Hungary during World War II with Spanish citizenship?
The Spanish head of mission in Budapest, Ángel Sanz Briz, saved thousands of Ashkenazim in Hungary by granting them Spanish citizenship. He placed them in safe houses and taught them minimal Spanish so they could pretend to be Sephardim.
When did the Spanish government issue an order to list all Jews present in their districts?
José María Finat y Escrivá de Romaní issued an official order dated the 13th of May 1941 to all provincial governors requesting a list of all Jews. After the list of six thousand names was compiled, Romaní delivered it personally to Himmler as Spain's ambassador to Germany.