Legion of Viriato

Viriatos
Association badge
active	1936 to 1939
Country	Portugal
Armed forces	mercenary
Branch of service	Land and air
Strength	~ 8000
Insinuation	Legión Española

The Portuguese Viriato Legion fought on the side of the nationalists against the legitimate Spanish government during the Spanish Civil War . The Legion was named after Viriathus , a Celtiberian tribal leader of the Lusitans .

When civil war broke out in Spain in 1936, the Portuguese " Estado Novo " supported the military coup. In addition, the Spanish putschists were supplied with war material via Portugal. As early as the first weeks of the Spanish Civil War, a legion, the Legion Viriato, was to be set up and sent to Spain. After pro-republican unrest in Portugal, the Salazar government decided to refrain from direct intervention in the war. Before the Legion could even be recruited, it was dissolved. Under the guise of neutrality, the Portuguese government authorized the recruitment of volunteers for the Spanish Legion . Portuguese volunteers, recruited through a large-scale publicity campaign to fight for the Spanish nationalists, were therefore called Viriatos. Up to 12,000 Portuguese volunteers fought on Franco's side during the war. During the Spanish Civil War there was never an autonomous Portuguese command structure. In the victory parade of Franco in Madrid on May 19, 1939, the Portuguese Viriato Legion and the German Condor Legion brought up the rear.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Antony Beevor: The Spanish Civil War , 2nd edition, ISBN 978-3-442-15492-0 , p. 253.
2. ^ Antony Beevor: The Spanish Civil War , 2nd edition, ISBN 978-3-442-15492-0 , p. 501.