Espana shield (non BeVo)

[NickG]

Thoughts on this Espana shield (non BeVo)??
It is embroidered on field gray backing! (cropped image)

[FestungSpanien]

I like it but immediate post war I would say

[Johnny R]

You haven't even got the Benno Derda tunic yet and you are ready looking for a shield to sew on it lol. Super science.

[NickG]

I was waiting in anticipation for that comment! ...
No not shopping for one (as of yet) just stumbled on it while trying to research a possible Azul connection with this officer.
Member "Spanische Freiwillige" is going to help me, so if something positive pops up it will go in that other thread!!
He PM'd me that it could be a translator, a Wehrmacht dolmetscher and those were not always Sonderfuhrer)

This particular shield is actually attached to a Spanish Franco era uniform! I was curious about it's authenticity, yes it triggered my curiosity!
The dealer Hisscol on the other hand does have an authentic unissued BeVo one listed...but it is very expensive... but of course textbook!
Need to find a definite unit connection first and see if there is a ghost of a prior shield once the tunic is in hand, before I take the plunge!
It would be an exciting connection for sure!

[Johnny R]

I cant wait for your presentation of who the tunic belonged to. I will get the popcorn ready.

[NickG]

I cant wait for your presentation of who the tunic belonged to. I will get the popcorn ready.

Si palomitas con salsa roja! ARRIBA ESPANA
Close up of period photo of a standard BeVo shield application customized with added pin (denoting Fallange member Yoke and Arrows).
Note also aiguillette!

[Askold]

Are are so many variations of the Spanish shields , its quite the minefield. This one looks worn, but I agree - the way its made, it has to be post war. I just can't imagine someone in the field spending hours on machine to make this elaborate embroidery.

Personally I always rather go with textbook examples - solid providence that the item was made during the war.

[NickG]

Yes agreed a minefield these "home made" ones and those were actually literally "home made". (not all were cottage industry products...)
hence the many variations in qualities and styles! Also referred to as "Madrinas" (god mothers) these shields were often painstakingly stitched together by mothers, girlfriends, wives and worn with pride, and no doubt also seen as good-luck charms (like the Japanese 1000 stitch belts) received by mail
at the front from loved ones back in Spain! They were especially popular with the Fallange members of the Blue Division, and had the arrows displayed on the shield...(pinned or embroidered...) as shown!

The standard BeVo shield was the most prevalent no doubt and issued in rolls of 50 to companies for distribution and stitched on by the troops.
Any Germans attached to Legion Azul might have worn the German made one...but certainly not the Madrina type as those came from relatives in Spain!
or no shields? The Germans in Kroatien and Freies Indien certainly adopted those shields, but those units had more German cadre. Azul was a Spanish command unit as we know so few Germans were associated with it!

(from: momoriablauforo/Gonzales)

[NickG]

Here's an interesting standard BeVo German produced one which a Falange member modified with their arrow insignia!
(from same source as post#8)

[NickG]

and of course post war variants of these shields make it more difficult to weed out the war time ones...

Here some of my Spanish Azul collection, including a post war BeVo veteran shield version...(lacks tall "A")

[NickG]

close up and post war uniform (from the web)