Free Republic

VIDEOThe Spanish Legion was modeled after the French Foreign Legion yet it has several significant differences. Although the enlisted ranks of the French Foreign Legion are composed entirely of non-French citizens, the members of the Spanish Legion are almost entirely Spaniards. Another difference is that the Spanish Legion march is much faster than the French Foreign Legion march. In fact, as you can see, the Spanish Legion marches so rapidly that you can be forgiven if you think the video of their march is being played at fast speed although I assure you that it's not. The Spanish Legion uniform...

Troops bear 'Moor Killer' badges Giles Tremlett in Madrid Friday July 25, 2003 The Guardian (UK)A row broke out in Spain yesterday after the country sent its first troops to patrol Iraq wearing on their shoulders the Cross of St James of Compostela - popularly known in Spain as "the Moor Killer". Patches bearing the cross, the symbol of a saint who allegedly guided the medieval Christian re conquista of Spain from the Muslims, are to be worn by a 2,000-strong Spanish brigade in central Iraq, who will patrol the sacred Shia city of Najaf. While newspapers and radio stations...