BOMBERS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Between the two world wars in Europe, there was only major military conflict the Spanish Civil War fought between the Nationalist under Franco and the Republicans who fought to protect the left wing government. The Soviet Union was quick to offer aid to the Republicans, the equipment including Polikarpov fighters and Tupolev SB-2 bomber. Italy under Mussolini supported Franco by sending 700 aircraft, including S.M79 Sparviero and B.R.20 bombers and S.M.81 bomber transports.

Polikarpov I-15

The Nationalist however had already asked for assistance from a far more formidable ally Germany. The Third Reich saw the Spanish Civil War as a great opportunity it was a means of taking the world’s attention
away from a rearming Germany, but also allowed Germany to test its troops and equipment in combat. A foothold in Spain would also allow Germany a southern launch pad for a later invasion of France.

Tupolev SB-2

Around 19,000 German volunteers most of them Luftwaffe personnel, ultimately fought as part of the fighting force named Condor Legion. Armed with Germany’s latest fighter and bomber types, men and machines were tested under fire. German bombers that saw action included the Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 52/3M, Ju 87 Stuka and Dornier Do17.

S.M79 Sparviero

While the bomber aircraft of the Condor Legion were used largely in support of ground forces, they were also deployed in the strategic bombing role. While military leaders around the world considered the use of the bomber as a strategic weapon, the Germans were gaining valuable combat experience. Allegedly Condor Legion bomber crews were initially given tourist maps to locate their targets. Despite amateurish beginnings, on April 26, 1937 the bombers of the Condor Legion *attacked the small town of Guernica in northern Spain and changed the world’s views of bomber aircraft forever.

Heinkel He 111

For over three hours Heinkel He 111 bomber accompanied by strafing fighters dropped 100,000lb of high explosive and incendiary bombs on Guernica, systematically pounding it to rubble. Over 1600 civilians one third of the population were killed, and almost 900 more were wounded. Seventy per cent of the town was destroyed and the fires started by incendiaries burned for three days.

Junkers Ju 52/3M

Guernica had no strategic value as a military target but a German report at the time stated that  “…the concentrated attack on Guernica was the greatest success” Guernica had been used to test a new Nazi military tactic carpet bombing the civilian population to demoralize the enemy. However the effect of the attack on Guernica went far beyond the Republican forces. Guernica made some European countries fear they might be next, thus making them more responsive to German demands for capitulation.

JU 87 Stuka

The Spanish Civil War ended in March 1939 with the surrender of Republican forces in Madrid. The Condor Legion had been instrumental in securing victory for the Nationalist.

At the post war Nuremberg trials, the chief of the Luftwaffe Hermann Goering said, “Spain gave me an opportunity to try out my young air forced” The Blitzkrieg tactic later used across Europe, had been refined in Spain. The 19,000 battle hardened Luftwaffe personnel who rotated thought the Condor Legion between 1936 and 1939 were soon in action over Poland, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Belgium and France, Spain had taught them well. 

* Version more disclosed.