The Last of the Last

Although little known, around 90 Spanish volunteers fought in the Battle of Berlin as members of the so-called Einheit Ezquerra. Well-armed and highly motivated, they took part in the defence of Berlin’s central sector, holding their positions until the fi nal days of the battle in the area surrounding the government ministries and the New Reich Chancellery.

The Last of the Last recounts the story of Spanish participation in the Battle of Berlin during the dying days of the Third Reich. Although Spain remained o cially neutral throughout the Second World War, two Spanish volunteer formations—the Blue Division and the Blue Legion—served alongside German forces on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union. Following the repatriation of these units, only a few hundred Spaniards chose to remain in German service. Of these, just over 90 volunteers, serving in the Wa en-SS, would ultimately fight in the defence of the Reich’s capital.

This book examines the organisation, weapons, tactics, and uniforms of these men, who believed they were continuing their struggle against communism while wearing the uniform of the Waffen-SS during the Battle of Berlin. It also recounts the desperate fi nal actions fought alongside their German and Latvian comrades as the city collapsed around them.

Drawing upon newly uncovered evidence from Latvian military reports, The Last of the Last presents the most comprehensive account yet published of the Spanish volunteers who fought in the fi nal battle for Berlin.