Diputación Foral de Guipúzcoa
Gipuzkoakultura
October 9, 2024

The Auxiliary Navy of the Basque Country
(1936-39)

Biographies of The Basque Auxiliary Navy

JOAQUÍN DE EGIA Y UNTZUETA (Bilbao, 1903-1956)

Joaquín de Egia y Untzueta (Bilbao, 1903-1956) Joaquín de Egia was a sub-inspector 2nd class in the Maritime Services Corps and Bilbao Maritime Deputy Delegate from 1933 onwards. In 1936, he organized the maritime services of the Vizcaya Assembly. When the Basque Government was formed, he was appointed head of the Navy Section of the Basque Government Ministry of Defence on 15th October. At the head of the Section, he created the Basque Auxiliary Navy. He left for France during the evacuation of Santander. In 1940, he escaped to Ireland during the German invasion. He made his way to England and enlisted in the British Royal Air Force during the II World War. He died from a heart attack in Liverpool.

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