The bombing of Guernica has become a symbol of Nazi involvement in the Spanish Civil War, but the extent of the German commitment is often underestimated. The Luftwaffe sent 20,000 officers and men to Spain from 1936 to 1939, and the Condor Legion carried out many missions in support of the Spanish Nationalist forces and played a lead role in many key campaigns of the war. Aircraft that would play a significant role in the combat operations of World War II (the Heinkel 11 bomber, the Me 109 fighter, and others) saw their first action in Spain, fighting against the modern Soviet fighters and bombers that equipped the Republican Air Force. Condor Legion bombers attacked Republican logistics and transport behind the lines as well as bombing strategic targets, German bombers and fighters provided highly effective close air support for the front-line troops, and German fighters and anti-aircraft units ensured Nationalist control of the air. The experience garnered in Spain was very important to the development of the Luftwaffe. The war allowed them to hone and develop their tactics, train their officers, and to become the most practised air force in the world at conducting close support of ground troops. In effect, the Spanish Civil War proved to be the training ground for the Blitzkrieg which would be unleashed across Europe in the years that followed. In this rigorous new analysis, Legion Condor expert James Corum explores both the history and impact of the Luftwaffe's engagement during the Spanish Civil War and the role that engagement played in the development of the Luftwaffe strategy which would be used to such devastating effect in the years that followed.

For Germany, the Spanish Civil War proved a perfect testing ground for new technologies and tactics. During the war, some 19,000 German 'volunteers' formed an aviation group called the Legion Condor in support of the fascists. Originally flying He-51s, they were soon upgraded to 109s. These fighters proved dominant in the Spanish skies, and many members of the legion scored five or more kills during the fighting.

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.

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.

A study of the resurrection of Germany's air force during the period, providing an account of the evolution of German military aviation theory, doctrine, war games, and operations between the two world wars. Draws on archival material to reveal debates with the General Staff about the future role of airpower and the problems of aligning aviation technology with air doctrine. Also examines the early WWII period and the Luftwaffe's effectiveness in Poland and France. Includes bandw photos. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

"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.

This new, large format book contains over 1,000 images of Germany's Legion Condor during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. Coverage of all branches of the Legion Condor, with a special emphasis on aviation, includes detailed operational and unit histories, technical aspects of aircraft flown, biographies of noted personalities, and a look at uniforms, insignia and equipment. Superbly rendered full-color aircraft profiles show the variety of fighter, bomber, recon, and transport aircraft used. Covered too are the panzer, flak and naval units of the Legion Condor. A collection of hundreds of extremely rare Legion Condor artifacts – in full-color – rounds out this comprehensive look at the infamous pre-World War II German military.