Spanish Civil WAr: The German Kondor Legion A Firepower Force Package in Combat

FA Journal,  July, 2001  by Prisco R. Hernandez

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Under a punishing July sun, Feldwebel Schmidt peered through his field glasses at the black beetle-like form emerging from a cloud of dense red dust. "Target identified! Russian tank. Direction--2300 mils. Range--500 meters. Gunner, at-my-command. Ready--fire!"

Seconds later, the gun crew saw the bright orange fireball produced by the high-explosive (HE) round as it set off secondary explosions inside the thinly armored vehicle. Moments later, there was a loud concussive boom.

The crew of the German 88-mm gun maintained its standard-- one shot, one kill. Soon, old "Gretchen" would have another white circle painted on her deadly gray barrel.

Observing the unfolding battle, the artillery crew cheered as they saw a pair of vulture-like Stuka dive-bombers scream down on their objective and release their deadly "eggs."

A familiar vignette from the Russian Front? Not exactly. This scene did not take place on the barren Russian steppes. It happened much earlier--on the dusty plains of Spain.

The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 remains one of the 20th century's least understood conflicts. [1] From our present perspective, it seems similar to many of the conflicts that have flared up since the end of the Cold War. It came as the result of ancient tensions within the social fabric of the country and was waged with barbaric ferocity. [2] As in more recent civil wars, such as in the Balkans, outside powers used the conflict as a proxy ideological war and as a test bed for new military technologies and tactics.

Such was the case in Germany's limited support of the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. The Germans provided the Nationalists the Kondor Legion, a unique unit organized with an emphasis on firepower--air and artillery. By analyzing the success and limitations of the Kondor Legion, we can learn a lot about tailoring firepower force packages for modem combat.

Firepower Technology in the Spanish Civil War. In 1936, the Germans, in particular, were at the forefront of experimentation in the theory of mechanized and combined arms tactics. [3] German militarists seized the opportunity for the practical application of their new concepts of warfare offered by Hitler's limited intervention on behalf of the Spanish Nationalists led by General Francisco Franco.

Similarly, Russian communists offered assistance to the Republicans in the form of military advisers and materiel, including tanks and airplanes.

From the moment the Nazis seized power in Germany, the government encouraged military innovation and technological experimentation. In some cases, German weapon's engineers were sent to other countries to engage in work that was impossible to do in Germany due to the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty, a development technique Germany had applied before. [4]

The arms buildup initiated by Hitler in violation of this treaty and the renewed militarization and radicalization of German society under the Nazis were ominous signs for the future. Among the products of this arms buildup were a new generation of fighters and fighter-bombers, including the Ju-87 Stuka dive-bomber; new tanks and motorized infantry carriers; and new artillery pieces.

German Artillery. Perhaps the most remarkable of the weapons employed in Spain was the 88-mm gun. Originally designed as an anti-aircraft gun, the 88-mm Flugzeugabwehrkanone, or 88-mm FLAK, proved to be one of the most versatile and effective artillery pieces in history. The original FLAK-18 had been introduced at the end of World War I with its design improved during the postwar years. The model that saw action in Spain was known as the 88-mm FLAK-36 because it was improved in 1936.

The Kondor Legion. This formation was a firepower force package, Hitler's contribution to the Spanish Nationalist cause. It began assembling clandestinely in July of 1936 with shipments of materiel and advisers. It culminated in the formation and commitment of the Kondor Legion, an ad hoc expeditionary combat force formed from the German Luftwaffe. [5]

The legion consisted of fighters, bombers and associated combat, combat support and combat service support assets. The legion included several batteries of 88-mm anti-aircraft guns to provide local defense for the airfields and supply depots. All pilots, aircrews and soldiers belonged to the Luftwaffe, Germany's independent air service. [6]

The Luftwaffe was the perfect instrument for Hitler to try out his new military technologies. Although many of the Wennacht leaders were opposed to intervention in Spain, the Luftwaffe was commanded by Hermann Goring, Hitler's crony and true Nazi believer. In addition, the military instruments employed were primarily airplanes that promised to have a disproportionately great effect on the course of battle for a comparatively low likelihood of casualties, an important political consideration for Hitler at this stage of his career. [7]

The Kondor Legion was reorganized many times to accommodate new equipment and personnel changes. Initially, it consisted of a staff, a bomber group, a fighter group, a reconnaissance group, an anti-aircraft (FLAK) group, a seaplane squadron, a communications group and the necessary logistics support.