THE CONDOR LEGION



THE CONDOR LEGION

Picture book for training in the Hitler Youth

The Leader

To the legion on June 6, 1939 in Berlin:

“Your example, my comrades, will especially increase the trust of the German folk in

itself, it will strengthen the bond of comradeship and leave no doubt in the world, that

if the international war mongers should ever have the intent of attacking the German

empire, this attempt will experience a defense from the German folk and from the German armed forces of which the propagandists of encirclement do not have the slightest idea. In this sense, my comrades, the struggle in Spain has been a lesson for our opponents as a struggle for Germany.”

Spain—a land of enchanting beauty, with a high culture and a brilliant history—was to become the second beginning of the Bolshevist Revolution in Europe. The fall of the monarchy in 1931 and the formation of a popular front in the spring of 1936 are steps in the success of a foreign mentality in the populace. The national forces in Spain—formerly in disagreement with each other and therefore without success—are only now joining forces in view of the open preparations of the far left in the powerful formation of a Marxist-Bolshevist regime. The murder of the nationalist leader Calvo Sotelo on the street on June 12, 1936 was the signal to begin, which would strike the nationalists before the completion of their preparations. The leadership was taken over by General Franco. The support of the Reds by the democratic powers led Franco to ask help from Germany and Italy. The Leader and Mussolini recognized the greatness of the European moment which motivated them to take the side of nationalist Spain.

Germany immediately offered transport planes that in a short time transferred Moroccan core troops to Spain, since the main part of the Spanish fleet has gone to the side of the Reds. Up to the beginning of September, some 15,000 “Moros,” many arms, machine guns, bombs and munitions were brought to Southern Spain by sea. Then the first German fighting units arrived—fighter pilots, heavy flak, and two tank divisions—all are placed under the direction of Colonel Warlimont of the General Staff. In November a complete air force corps followed, into which the previous units were incorporated. The name “Legion Condor” comes from a term highly regarded by the Nationalists, but also highly feared by the opponents. In this Legion about 5000 volunteers fought, and they were regularly rotated by an established routine. On November 6, 1936 the then Major General took over the leadership, on November 1, 1937 it was Major General Volkmann, and on November 1, 1938 it was Major General Freiherr von Richthofen who as early as 1937 was active as chief of staff of the Legion and who played a major role in the victorious conclusion of the war.

The so-called non-intervention policies of the European powers in relation to Spain made it impossible in the Reich to speak and to write about the struggle and the successes of the German volunteers. However, every German seriously observed the terrible fate of this tortured country and followed the course of the ever-changing war. The world listened when the Leader answered the cowardly attack of the Reds on the warship “Deutschland” through the shelling by America, which, like many other ships of other nations, was acting in behalf of the commission on non-intervention. The dead live in our memory and we have respect for the German heroes who fell in battle. They fought and died for a country “that attempted to remain neutral to us in the World War in spite of blackmailing attempts on the part of England.”

The Leader

STRUCTURE OF THE PICTURE BOOK

Pictures 1-7: The Leader supports Franco.

Pictures 8-13: German legionnaires are models for the Spanish volunteers.

Pictures 14-20: The deployment of German ground forces.

Pictures 21-30: The struggle of the German Air Force.

Pictures 31-37: Germany receives the victorious legion.

OVERVIEW OF THE PICTURES

1. The Leader on June 6, 1939:

“In summer 1936 Spain seemed to be lost. International forces stirred the embers of a revolution that was destined to destroy not only Spain, but also all of Europe…

2. A terribly threatening fate arose over our continent…

Incited Soviet-Spanish youth during a parade in Barcelona.

3. At one time I sent out…

A unit of the Condor Legion on the march in Spain.

4. in order to help an unfortunate country…

Right: a church pillaged and defamed by the Reds.

Left: The picture shows a portion of the destroyed city and of the Alcazar of Toledo.

5. in order to support a heroic man…

General Franco, the caudillo of the new Spain.

6. who, as an ardent patriot wanted to save Spain from destruction…

The left picture shows murdered Spaniards in a small Spanish village, the right picture shows mourning Spanish women.

Freiherr von Richthofen spoke recently about the fact that Spain had 20 million inhabitants of whom about 2 million became victims and 500,000 died in the war.

7.and has saved it gloriously.”

Victory parade in Madrid, where 200,000 soldiers march by the caudillo to the cheers of the throngs of the recently freed populace.

8. “The German volunteers have achieved admirable things.”

Franco.

9. German trainers instruct Spanish volunteers…

A German legionnaire instructs Spanish volunteers on the operation of a mine locator.

10. in tireless service on light weapons…

Training on a light machine gun.

11. and on the most modern German weapons of war.

Heavy flak defense.

The Germans train in total 56,000 officers and teams for use in tanks, tank defense cannons, flamethrowers, and transport vehicles. From spring 1937 on, special training camps were built for officers, non-commissioned officers and teams.

12. A warm weapon-friendship connects the Spanish and the German officers…

The German officer is recognizable by the swastika on his cap; next to him is a Spanish national lieutenant.

13. The qualification for a joint victory is created by the German legionnaire and the Spanish soldier.

14. “At any place during the three-year heavy battle raged for the freedom of Spain, the German Condor was in the front line and fought for victory with heroic bravery to the last man.”

Hermann Göring.

15. German armored cars move forward, followed by Spanish flamethrowers.

16. German tank defense cannons protect the retreating infantry from red war armor.

17. German newsmen under the hot sun in Spain.

News service group of a flak unit on the job.

18. Light flak supports the attack…

The artillery leader and the cannon operator observe the location of the fire and its effects. Light flak was often used with good success in a direct attack. In Bilbao, for example, they threw explosive grenades into the peepholes of the bunkers. One bunker after another in the “iron ring” was destroyed. A night attack by the reds collapsed into fire during a 30-meter close contact struggle with the 2 cm flak defense.

19. A heavy flak battery in firing position…

20. The enemy counter attack collapses before the courage of the legionnaires and the superiority of the German materiel.

21. “For the first time the young German Air Force appeared as the main element of the struggle, and we have perceived it as our good fortune, and the resurrected young air force could show and prove that it could fight again and win.”

Hermann Göring

As an example, an excerpt from a report about the battles around Madrid in 1937. “On July 25, with tremendous effort, the entire national air force, artillery and German flak were thrown three times against the red troops and tanks assembled in narrow valleys. In the troop concentrations 250-kg bombs exploded, and the red attack troops quickly crumbled, the fragment bombs and machine gun fire of the He-51 group drove them into fleeing sections; in a five-pointed attack they struck the remaining resistance while night bomb attacks drove the confusion into panic. The red leadership confirmed the loss of 30,000 men through the attacks of the German Air Force, in combat through the 24th and 25th of July; of that attack force the Condor Legion played the major role.

22. German dive-bombers in the attack on a red-Spanish war harbor.

23. With the best machines in the world…

24. the German fighter planes have…

Pilots of a fighting squadron with parachute and oxygen gear that is used at elevations of 3500 meters.

25. in silent fulfillment of one’s duty…

The “chancel” of a Heinkel fighter, left from the outside and right from inside.

26. brings down the red opponent.

Left: a downed, burning enemy airplane.

Right: Destroyed enemy airplanes at the airport of Villajuiga. On one day 27 red planes were destroyed by the Germans in a surprise attack.

27. The Legion continued the glorious tradition of the World War.

Excerpt from a German list of successes that revealed twelve air victories in one day.

28. German bombs bring confusion and ruin…

A German legionnaire who brings an aerial bomb to the aircraft.

29. to the red opponent in the hinterland…

The altitude of the aircraft is 4000 m, and the goal appears on the instrument panel. With a touch of the release button, the bomb is dropped.

30. and into his pre-determined battle position that was considered unconquerable

An excerpt from the Bilbao-Offensive, in which German bombers prepared the seemingly unconquerable main positions ready for attack.

31. The Leader addresses the Legionnaires

“It was painful for all of us to remain quiet for years regarding your struggle. At that time the thought occurred to me that after the conclusion of this war I would receive the brave, victorious soldiers for a reception they have earned.”

32. All of Germany greets you…

Marching of the Legion Condor in Berlin with their flags presented by the Caudillo.

33. in proud jubilation and sincere solidarity…

Excerpt from the festively decorated street “Unter den Linden” in Berlin.

34. You have now returned as the brave executors of my order…

The victory parade on the east-west axis on June 6, 1939. Behind the Leader is the last commander of the Legion, Major General Freiherr von Richthofen.

35. I am especially proud of you. The entire German populace feels as I do.

Left: Hermann Göring together with a wounded Legionnaire.

Right: Reception by the Leader with the golden Spanish order for especially recognized officers.

36. They have fallen, but their death and their suffering will give life to innumerable Germans in the future.”

Left: Posting of the honors by the Hitler Youth in the Lustgarten during the roll call of the Legion. Each plate carries the name of a fallen comrade.

Right: Honor for the fallen comrades by the Leader at the Reich monument.

37. “Legion Condor—the name covers a richness of assignments, bravery, courage, struggle and victory.”

Hermann Göring. The Spanish order presented by the Leader.

The pictures numbered 20, 22 and 30 are drawings by Theo Mateyko, taken from the publication “Die Wehrmacht” (armed services) with the kind permission of the publisher.

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