Osprey Elite 131

The Condor Legion
German Troops in the Spanish Civil War

by

by Carlos Caballero Jurado

Reviewed by John Prigent

available online from Squadron.com

The Condor Legion is famous, but its composition was far more complex than is generally known. The book begins with an overview of the origins of the Spanish Civil War and explains why Germany, Italy and Soviet Russia sent arms to the opposing sides. Numbers of volunteers went to fight for the Republicans and German aid to the Nationalists began with aircraft and a few Luftwaffe pilots – intended as trainers but soon involving themselves in the fighting. German army personnel volunteered to go with Panzer IAs and anti-tank guns as a ground component designated as Panzergruppe Drohne, but the pilots’ self-bestowed name of Condor Legion sounded more impressive and was adopted as the title for the whole air and ground force plus the few Naval personnel sent to Spain.

Civilian clothing was worn initially, but when the Condor Legion was officially created a Spanish-style uniform was adopted. The only recognisably German item seems to have been the black Panzer beret with totenkopf and swastika badge worn by the Panzer troops. The air and ground uniforms are well described here, with their rank badges and other distinctions.

Next is a chapter on the air component, describing the aircraft used, their actions and their casualties. Then come the ground forces; Panzers, anti-tank and other artillery, signals, etc. Here there’s a very useful section on the tank force’s organisation and its several Spanish designations. The naval component comes last, but had little direct involvement in the war.

The book is full of contemporary photographs of aircraft and tanks as well as of the men, but the colour plates concentrate on uniforms, giving little information about tank markings and none about aircraft markings.

Nevertheless this is a great book for tank or aircraft modellers wanting to place their subjects in the Spanish Civil War!

Highly Recommended.

Review Copyright © 2006 by John Prigent
This Page Created on 06 March, 2006
Last updated 06 March, 2006

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