Agustín Muñoz Grandes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agustín Muñoz Grandes
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General Muñoz Grandes as an officer of the Wehrmacht, 1941–43
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Spain | |
| In office 11 July 1962 – 22 July 1967 |
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| Prime Minister | Francisco Franco |
| Preceded by | Francisco Gómez-Jordana Sousa (1938–39) |
| Succeeded by | Luis Carrero Blanco |
| Minister of the Army | |
| In office 19 July 1951 – 25 February 1957 |
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| Preceded by | Fidel Dávila Arrondo |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Barroso Sánchez-Guerra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 January 1896 Carabanchel Bajo, Spain |
| Died | 11 July 1970 (aged 74) Madrid, Spain |
| Political party | FET y de las JONS |
| Education | Toledo Infantry Academy |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Spain (1915–1931) Spanish Republic (1931–1936) Nationalist Spain (1936–1941, 1942–1950) Nazi Germany (1941–1942) |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army German Army (Wehrmacht) |
| Years of service | 1915–41, 1942–50 (Spain) 1941–42 (Germany) |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Blue Division |
| Battles/wars | Rif War |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Military Medal |
Agustín Muñoz Grandes (born January 27, 1896 – died July 11, 1970) was an important Spanish general and politician. He served as the Vice-President of the Spanish Government and was a minister many times under Francisco Franco. He is also well-known for leading the Blue Division between 1941 and 1942.
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Early Life and Military Career
Agustín Muñoz Grandes was born in Carabanchel Bajo, Spain, on January 27, 1896. When he was a teenager, he joined a military school called the Toledo Infantry Academy. After finishing his studies, he was sent to Morocco in 1915. In 1925, he took part in a very important military operation called the Battle of Alhucemas.
During the Spanish Civil War, Muñoz Grandes fought for the Nationalists. He was promoted to the rank of General and took charge of parts of the Army of Africa. In February 1937, he led the Spanish Legionnaries to capture the city of Málaga.
Leading the Blue Division
In 1941, Generalísimo Franco asked Muñoz Grandes to lead the División Azul. This was a special group of Spanish volunteers. They fought alongside the German army, known as the Wehrmacht, on the Eastern Front during World War II. Their mission was to fight against the Soviet Union.
Muñoz Grandes knew the military leaders of Nazi Germany well. He even met with important figures like Wilhelm Canaris and Adolf Hitler several times.
While he was in command, Muñoz Grandes received a high honor called the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Hitler himself added the Oak Leaves to this award. In December 1942, Muñoz Grandes was called back to Spain. He was promoted to Lieutenant General, and Emilio Esteban Infantes took over his command on the Eastern Front.
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Later Political and Military Roles
After returning to Spain, Muñoz Grandes continued his important career. In 1945, he became the Captain General of the First Military District. Later, in 1951, he was appointed Minister of the Army. By 1958, he was the Chief of the Defence High Command, which meant he was the chief of staff for all the Spanish Armed Forces.
From 1962 to 1967, he served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain. During this time, he suggested to Franco that Spain should get involved in the Vietnam War. He believed this would help Spain have better relations with the United States. However, Franco did not want to openly support the war. In the end, only a few medical teams were secretly sent to help.
Agustín Muñoz Grandes passed away in 1970. His wife, Maria, died in 1989.
Important Awards and Honors
- Order of Cisneros (1956, 1970)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (March 12, 1942)
- Oak Leaves (December 12, 1942)
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (September 8, 1941)
- 1st Class (January 19, 1942)
See also
In Spanish: Agustín Muñoz Grandes para niños
