Spain, Fascist State. A Blue Squadron Unit Pennant, C.1936

An extremely well-preserved Blue Squadron (Patrulla Azul) unit pennant, constructed of a white wool base, the obverse bearing an elaborated multi-piece insignia consisting of a central white wool disc, overlaid by a Blue Squadron insignia in the form of three diving eagles above an inscription of “VISTA, SUERTE Y AL TORO” (colloquially translating to “WATCH OUT, HAVE LUCK, AND GO FOR THE BULL”), on top of double-overlaid crosses, and within a green laurel leaf wreath, unmarked, measuring 290 mm (w) x 138 mm (h), the three corner bearing holes indicating previous pin attachment, in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Blue Patrol (Patrulla Azul) was formed in the autumn of 1936 by Joaquín García Morato, the leading Nationalist fighter ace of the Spanish Civil War, who was himself credited with 40 victories. This fighter wing went on to score a large number of aerial victories over Republican forces, many of which contributed to García Morato’s tally. During the Second World War, Spain provided a contingent of pilots for Luftwaffe service on the Eastern Front, with the resulting 15. Spanische Staffel acquiring the moniker of the Blue Squadron (Escuadrilla Azul) and using an identical insignia. This volunteer unit went on to down over 160 Soviet aircraft at a cost of 20 casualties.