Germany - Portugal 1939-1945

More than a hundred Portuguese fought alongside the Germans in Russia, as part of the Blue Division, a volunteer unit organized in Spain. Others may have joined other units.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Portugal also had a large German colony that mobilized its young men to fight in the war. We can find them in all types of military units. There were people born in Portugal who served in the Kriegsmarine (navy), the Luftwaffe (air force), the Wehrmacht (army) and even the SS.

You will find the stories of these men and women here.

Graça, Jaime

. . Corporal in the Blue Division Birth place – Lisbon Birth date – 02/1913 Death date – Father – Mother – He fought in the Spanish Civil War, on the side of the nationalists, and later wore the … Read more

Fire | Germany | Portuguese at War

Afonso, Aníbal Esteves

Soldier in the Blue Division – Infantary Reg. 263 Birth place – Coto, Prado, Melgaço Birth date – 18/07/1917 Death date – Father – José Bento Afonso Mother – Constância da Pureza Esteves Aníbal Afonso was a member of the Blue … Read more

Fire | Germany | Portuguese at War

Portuguese in the Blue Division

. News cut about the Blue Division in the Portuguese edition of “Signal” magazine. (“Signal” magazine, Portuguese edition, December 1942) About 150 Portuguese wore the uniform of the Blue Division, a volunteer unit formed in Spain to fight with the … Read more

Fire | Germany | Portuguese at War

Júnior, João Rodrigues

Soldier in the Blue Division – Wehrmacht Birth place – Birth date – Death date – 01/1956 Father – Mother – João Rodrigues Júnior first fought in the Spanish Civil War, on the side of the nationalists, … Read more