The Quick Guide
to the Spanish Civil War

German Forces in Spain

by Greg Novak

In terms of the press gained for Germany, and the results achieved on the battlefield, the Condor Legion presents an interesting problem for the historian. The myth of Nazi Germans fighting to overthrow the Spanish Republic has provided the Republic with an acceptable scapegoat that is too difficult to give up. Nevertheless, the truth on German involvement in Spain is far from that believed to have occurred.

With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Germany was called on by the Nationalist rebels to provide aircraft and antiaircraft weapons. After a short debate within the German government, 20 Ju-52 transports, 6 He-51 fighters, and 20 antiaircraft guns were ordered transferred to the Nationalist government. Half the transports, as well as the fighters, AAA guns, and crews were to be shipped by sea to Cadiz. Crews for the fighters and weapons were "volunteered" to join what became known as the Tourist group Union.

The remaining transport Ju52's were provided by Lufthansa and flown directly to Morocco. All members of this mission were warned not be allow themselves to be drawn into combat, and the fighter pilots were to only fly in defense of the transport formations. Once the troops in Africa had arrived in Spain, the plan was for the Germans to turn all equipment over to the Nationalists, and return home.

Several problems with the plan quickly emerged. France began to supply the Republican Government with modern aircraft and pilots. Spanish pilots that aircraft were being turned over to often lacked the experience they needed, with the result that two of first six He-51's were lost after being turned over the Nationalist Air Force. Additional weapons and training were needed by the Nationalists, especially now that reports of weapons were supposed to be on the way from Russia. Having stepped into Spain, the Germans found it difficult to leave.

With Italy sending aid of her own, and having pilots in combat, the restrictions on German pilots were lifted as well. Additional weapons, aircraft and personnel, including light tanks, was shipped to Spain, so that by the end of October of 1936 the following German forces were present in Spain:

Ground Troops
Troop Quality: Experienced
Morale: 9

88 Battery "Aldinger," with:

    1 command stand
    1 gun crew stand (ds)
    1 gun crew stand
    1 88L56 AA gun
    1 20L113 AA gun
    1 medium truck
    2 light trucks
    1 support stand

Light Flak Training Center, with:

    1 command stand
    2 gun crew stands
    2 20LI 13 AA guns
    3 light trucks
    1 support stand

Anti-Tank Training Center, with:

    1 command stand
    1 gun crew stand
    1 37L45 AT gun
    2 light trucks
    1 support stand

Panzer Training Center, with:

    Headquarters, with:
      1 command stand
      1 car
      1 staff radio truck
      1 support stand
      1 light baggage truck with field kitchen
      1 maintenance truck

    1st Tank Company, with: 4 Pz I light tanks
    2nd Tank Company, with: 4 Pz I light tanks

At this point in time four Spanish AT companies and three Light Flak companies were in the process of being trained. In the air, the following German Air Units were organized and equipped as follows:

Aircrews
Troop Quality: Experienced
Morale: 9

    German Fighter Squadron, with: 5 He-51 fighter aircraft
    Bomber Squadron Peter and Paul, with: 3 Ju-52 Bombers
    Reconnaissance Squadron, with: 2 He-46 Recon Aircraft

In an attempt to better support the German forces in Spain, as well as correct problems seen in the structure of the Nationalist forces, it was decided by Berlin to unify the forces serving in Spain under a single command and increase it in somewhat in size to match the Italians. However, a request by the German Ambassador to Franco to send a complete Infantry Corps of three divisions was denied by everyone in Germany in the High Command from Hitler on down. The General Staff pointed out that to send that force to Spain would strip the remaining German Army at home to nothing.

As the newly formed Luftwaffe was seen as the major provider of the German forces there, it was given the responsibility for this new command, which was to be known as the Condor Legion. Elements for this new formation were drafted from the ranks of the German military, and despatched to Spain in the fall of 1936.

The Condor Legion

While all German personnel in Spain were assigned for administration purposes to the Condor Legion, it was first and foremost an air unit. Though Goering had wanted to name each element of the Legion after a different bird, it was thought to be too confusing. In the end the number 88 was used as the prefix of all units assigned to the Legion.

Most of the Legion consisted of the service and control units needed by any large air unit. An oversized signal battalion was sent due to the need to establish communication and weather stations across the countryside. Maintenance facilities and supply depots had to be established, including a rebuilding facility as all light aircraft sent to Spain had to be shipped broken down. Hospitals were set up, ammunition dumps organized. Of 5,000 men serving with the Legion, over 4,000 ended up serving in these needed but non combat roles (including in the proper military style, a Condor Legion band).

In early 1937, the Air Elements of the Legion were as follows:

    Troop Quality: Experienced
    Morale: 9

    88th Bomber Group, with:

      1st Squadron, with: 3 Ju-52 bombers
      2nd Squadron, with: 3 Ju-52 bombers
      3rd Squadron, with: 3 Ju-52 bombers
      4th (Peter and Paul) Squadron, with: 3 Ju-52 bombers
      Experimental Squadron, with: (See notes below)

    88th Reconnaissance Group, with:

      1st Close Range Squadron, with: 3 He-46
      2nd Long Range Squadron, with: 3 He-70

    88th Fighter Group, with:

      1st Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters
      2nd Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters
      3rd Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters
      4th Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters

    88th Floatplane Squadron, with:

      3 He-59 floatplanes

The Fourth Bomber and Fighter Squadrons were formed from the elements already serving in Spain, and where to be disbanded as time passed to keep the remaining squadrons at strength. The Experimental Squadron consisted of any aircraft that were sent to Spain for combat testing, but which were not in full service. Courier, transport, and other non battlefield aircraft and units are not listed. Flight training of Spanish air crews was also carried out by elements of the Legion, and aircraft that were replaced by newer models were then turned over to Spanish air squadrons.

The main ground element of the Legion consisted of a single Luftwaffe flak battalion, reinforced by the units already in Spain, and operating under orders to protect the Condor Legion's base area, while lending assistance to the Nationalist Army.

    Troop Quality: Experienced
    Morale: 9

    88th Flak Battalion, with:

      Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 car
        1 staff radio truck
        1 support stand
        1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen
        1 medium general supply truck

      1st Heavy Battery, with:

        1 command stand
        1 car
        1 gun crew stand (ds)
        1 gun crew stand
        1 88L56 AA gun
        1 20L113 AA gun
        1 24" searchlight on trailer
        1 medium truck
        3 light trucks
        1 support stand

      2nd Heavy Battery, with: as 1st Heavy Battery
      3rd Heavy Battery, with: as 1st Heavy Battery
      4th Light Flak Battery, with:
        1 command stand
        1 car
        3 gun crew stands
        2 20L113 AA guns
        1 37L98 AA gun
        1 24" searchlight on trailer
        4 light trucks
        1 support stand

      5th Light Flak Battery, with: as 4th Light Flak Battery
      6th (Detection) Battery, with: as 1st Heavy Battery
      7th (Supply) Battery, with:
        1 command stand
        1 car
        6 medium ammo trucks with trailers
        2 support stands

    "Aldinger" Battery, with: as 1st Heavy Battery

The existing Training units for Tanks, Flak and Antitank Guns not only remained in service, but were increased in size and scope. Additional training establishments were set up for officer candidates, artillery, and engineers, but the number of Germans assigned remained small and subject to the rule that they were not to operate in combat as a group. Individual officers would be found in the front lines, but not any organized German formations. Hider's orders were for German personnel to stay out of the sound of enemy artillery.

There were two exceptions to this rule. The first dealt with the Flak Battalion of the Condor Legion, and was a local solution to a problem. The Nationalist forces were badly in need of precision direct fire weapons for attacking Republican strong points. At the same time the Legion command realized that leaving the Flak Battalion emplaced around the airfields of the Legion would mean that the Flak gunners would get limited use of their weapons.

To vary the routine, the Flak Batteries were rotated in and out of the front lines, where they served as either local AA or direct fire artillery. It became common practice for major attacks on Republican positions to commence with a barrage from a Condor Legion flak unit.

This use of the Flak Battalion as supporting artillery became so common that the different batteries vied for variations on the theme. One battery, serving in the campaign against the Basques, was even employed as coastal artillery and hoped that they would have a chance to sink a "Red" ship as proof of the ability of the 88L56 and the Flak Battalion to do anything! It should be pointed out that this ability to use the flak weapons so far forward was due in no small part to the fact that the Republican units often lacked supporting battalion weapons such as mortars and infantry guns that could strike back. Whenever artillery fire was called down on the flak elements operating in direct fire, the flak guns quickly displaced to the rear. They were to be used only if they were not in danger.

The other exception was the use of small parties of communications troops by the Legion to serve as Forward Air Controllers. When attacks were needed to be made on Republican strong points by the aircraft of the Legion, command practice was to send up detachment to control the attacks. These FACs, of which no more than one existed at any time, would consist of the following:

    Condor Legion FAC, with:
      1 command stand
      1 staff radio stand

    The staff radio had to be set up prior to the start of the action to function, and could not move and still function. It could be moved by truck or pack mule, and both elements need to be together (within 2") in order for it to work.

    The air units of the Legion underwent a number of changes, starting with the campaign against the Basques. New aircraft, including the He111 and the Bf-109 began to arrive in small numbers. For this campaign the Legion had:

      Troop Quality: Experienced
      Morale: 9

      88th Bomber Group, with:

        1st Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers
        2nd Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers
        3rd Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers
        4th (Peter and Paul) Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers
        Experimental Squadron, with: 2 He-111 bombers

      88th Reconnaissance Group, with:

        2nd Long Range Squadron, with: 2 He-70 and 1 Do- 17

      88th Fighter Group, with:

        1st Squadron, with: 2 He-51 fighters
        2nd Squadron, with: 2 Bf-109 fighters
        3rd Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters
        Experimental Squadron, with: 1 Hs-123 ground attack

When news arrived of the Republican attack on Brunete, the Legion was shifted southward to help supply air cover to that area. After that action was over, the Legion returned to the final operations in northern Spain with the following:

    Troop Quality: Veteran
    Morale: 9

    88th Bomber Group, with:

      1st Squadron, with: 2 He-111 bombers
      2nd Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers
      3rd Squadron, with: 2 Ju-52 bombers

    88th Reconnaissance Group, with:

      1st Close Range Squadron, with:
        1 He45
        1 He46

      2nd Long Range Squadron, with:
        2 He-70
        1 Do-17

    88th Fighter Group, with:

      1st Squadron, with:
        1 Bf-109 fighter
        2 He-51 fighters

      2nd Squadron, with: 2 Bf-109 fighters
      3rd Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighters

In late 1937, the Condor Legion was reorganized somewhat. The 37L98 AA guns were removed from the 4th and 5th Light Batteries, and formed into a separate Light Battery. The Ju-52s were replaced by He111bs, and the Fighter Group was given two squadrons of fighters (Bf- 109Bs) and two squadron of ground attack aircraft (He-51s). The Legion now had:

    88th Bomber Group, with:
    21st Squadron, with: 3 He-111b bombers
    22nd Squadron, with: 3 He-111b bombers
    23rd Squadron, with: 3 He-111b bombers

    88th Reconnaissance Group, with:
    21st Close Range Squadron, with: 2 He-45
    22nd Long Range Squadron, with: 3 Do- 17

    88th Fighter Group, with:
    21st Squadron, with: 3 Bf-109 fighters
    22nd Squadron, with: 3 Bf-109 fighters
    23rd Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighter-bombers
    24th Squadron, with: 3 He-51 fighter-bombers
    2Experimental Squadron, with: 1 Ju-87 attack (February 1938)

    88th Floatplane Squadron, with: 3 He-59 floatplanes

    88th Flak Battalion, with:

      Headquarters, with: as before
      21st Heavy Battery, with: as before
      22nd Heavy Battery, with: as before
      23rd Heavy Battery, with: as before
      24th Light Flak Battery, with:
        1 command stand
        21 car
        22 gun crew stands
        22 20L113 AA guns
        21 24" searchlight on trailer
        23 light trucks
        21 support stand

    25th Light Flak Battery, with: as 4th Light Flak Battery
    26th (Detection) Battery, with: as before
    27th Light Flak Battery, with:
      1 command stand
      21 car
      22 gun crew stands
      22 37L98 AA guns
      21 24" searchlight on trailer
      23 light trucks
      21 support stand

    2Supply Battery, with:
      1 command stand
      21 car
      26 medium ammo trucks with trailers
      2 support stands

      "Aidinger" Battery, with: as before

With the above elements, the Legion took part in the Battle for Teruel, and then the drive to the sea. The 3rd Fighter squadron was converted to Bf-109b in June of 1938. The Legion then took part in the Battle of the Ebro, and the subsequent operations that ended the war. The major change in the makeup of the Legion was the arrival of the first Bf- 109E fighters in December of 1938. When the war ended, the Legion, sans aircraft and equipment, sailed home at the end of May, 1939.

Some Thoughts on the Germans in Spain

As mentioned earlier, German Military Missions trained the elements of the Nationalist Army and served as advisors in the field. Wilhelm von Thoma, the commander of the Parizer training center in Spain, made a number of comments on the German role to Liddel Hart that have caused some confusion. The 30 "German" Antitank Companies under von Thoma's control were not German, though they were German- equipped and trained. There is some question as to whether or not they were even under his control after they finished attending their course of instruction, and returned to their units.

Likewise the Panzer formations were primarily Spanish, and not German. A suggestion in late 1936 that German combat troops should serve in Spain was dismissed out of hand by the authorities in Berlin, who pointed out than any such action would strip Germany of all of its weapons at a time it was rearming. Unlike other countries which could pass on obsolete weapons to Spain in the 1930's, Germany was so disarmed after WWI that the German military stockpiles were very low. Much of what Germany sent to Spain was first rate equipment, because that's all they had to send.

After all the comments one reads on how Spain was used as a testing ground by Germany for WWII, one is left with some very interesting questions. Very little of what learned in Spain seems to have been learned by the German military. Consider the following:

After running into the T-26 in 1936, with its ability to fire HE, the Germans went ahead with the production of the MkIII with its 37L45. The MkIII does not have the ability to fire HE till 1941. Considering how often the flak weapons of the Legion were used to provide battlefield direct fire HE, one would have thought additional steps would be taken in this matter.

The Condor Legion was forced to escort many of its bombing missions with fighters during the war, a practice which seems to ignored by the Luftwaffe.

The failure of all-armor formations to be effective on the battlefield, and the needed for combined arms operations. Compare this to the early war German Panzer Divisions, with their tank heavy organizations.

Quick Guide to the Spanish Civil War

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© Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak.
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