Franco And The Condor Legion

The Spanish Civil War was fought on land and at sea but also in an age of great interest in air warfare and the rapid development of warplanes. The war in Spain came a turning point in the development of military aircraft and was the arena in which new techniques of air war were rehearsed including high-speed dogfights, attacks on ships, bombing of civilian areas and tactical air-ground cooperation. At the heart of the air war were the Condor Legion, a unit composed of military personnel from Hitler's Germany who fought for Franco's Nationalists in Spain. In this book, Michael Alpert provides the first study in English of the Spanish Civil War in the air. He describes and analyses the intervention of German, Italian and Soviet aircraft in the Spanish conflict, as well as the supply of aircraft in general and the role of volunteer and mercenary airmen. His book provides new perspectives on the air war in Spain, the precedents set for World War II and the possible lessons learnt.

In October 1936 two German ships arrived in Spain loaded with a Panzer I company and all the services and personnel to establish Franco's army's first armored unit, the so-called Panzer-Gruppe Drohne. The Third Reich chose a pioneer in the development of German ground forces to command this contingent - Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma. This book presents the history of von Thoma's units in the Spanish Civil War, from the tank crews to the infantry, and specialties.

At the start of the Spanish Civil War the nationalists sought help for their cause from Germany, following which volunteers from the German Air Force and Army formed what was called the Condor Legion. This force made a significant contribution to General Francos eventual victory and this included two experimental air units, known as VJ/88 and VB/88. The formers mission was to combat test the new monoplane fighters; the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Heinkel He 112. The latter groups task was to test the new twin-engine, retractable undercarriage bombers; the Heinkel He 111, the fast Dornier Do 17 and the Junkers Ju 86.The Heinkels made their combat debut on 9 March 1937, when they attacked Republican held airfields in support of the Battle of Guadalajara. The Heinkel proved superior to the two other German medium bombers, being both faster and carrying a heavier bomb load. Likewise, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was quickly found to be the better of the two fighters. This book aims to examine the history of the men and machines that served in those units. The Fhrer thought the matter over. I urged him to give support [to Franco] under all circumstances, firstly, in order to prevent the further spread of communism in that theatre and, secondly, to test my young Luftwaffe at this opportunity in this or that technical respect.Herman Gring at the Nuremberg War Trials.

"The Spanish Civil War between the Nationalists, under Gen. Francisco Franco, and the Republicans polarised international opinion. The Nationalists received aid from the fascists -- Nazi Germany and Italy; the Republicans from Russia and the International Brigades. German assistance started in July 1936, when Hitler sent Ju52 transports to Morocco from where they transported the Army of Africa to Spain. In October 1936, Hitler gave permission for the Condor Legion to be formed. An autonomous unit responsible only to Franco, the legion participated in all the major engagements of the war -- including Brunete, Teruel, Aragon and Ebro -- but possibly its best remembered participation was the carpet-bombing of the market town of Guernica, immortalised by Picaso. The Condor Legion returned to Germany in 1938"--Page 4 of cover.

The Condor Legion was the expeditionary force of soldiers and airmen sent by Hitler to aid Franco's Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. The Germans used the war as an opportunity to develop equipment and tactics, and their force included not only instructors, but also combat units of artillery, tanks and aircraft. These units tested guns, tanks and planes and perfected techniques which were used in the 1940 Blitzkrieg. Many of officers prominent in the early campaigns of World War II won their first successes in Spain. This book details the Legion and its unique uniform and insignia.

Actions of the German air force during the Spanish Civil War. Covers the bombing of Guernica and other events. Draws from previously undiscovered source material.

Beretter om den tyske "Condor legion"s indsats under Den Spanske Borgerkrig.