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The "Legion Condor" was a unit composed of volunteers from the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and from the German Army (Wehrmacht - Heer) which served with the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War of July 1936 to March 1939.
The "Legion Condor" developed methods of terror bombing which were used widely in the Second World War shortly afterwards. The bombing of Guernica was the most infamous operation carried out by the "Legion Condor".
Hugo Sperrle commanded the unit's aircraft formations and Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma commanded the ground element.
Notable participants
Hermann Aldinger
Oskar Dirlewanger
Rudolf Demme
Adolf Galland
Hajo Herrmann
Werner Molders
Hugo Sperrle
Karl Schweikard
Hannes Trautloft
Heinrich Trettner
Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen
Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma
Hellmuth Volkmann
Chiang Wei-kuo
Homecoming
On the return of the Legion an assembly for a personal address by Hitler on 6 June 1939, and a parade as part of the celebrations was organized for Hitler's 50th birthday 20 April 1939.
Members of the Luftwaffe at the homecoming Parade for the "Legion Condor" - Berlin
Spanish Cross
(Deutsche Spanien-Kreuz)
Bronze without Swords
The non-combatant version was awarded for three months of service in Spain.
7869 bronze crosses were awarded.
Bronze with Swords
The Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords was given for meritorious service during the war.
8462 bronze crosses with swords were awarded.
Silver without Swords
The Silver Cross was a non-combatant version awarded for merit.
327 silver crosses were awarded.
Silver with Swords
The Spanish Cross in Silver was awarded to the soldiers who took part in decisive battles.
8304 silver crosses with swords were awarded.
Gold
The Spanish Cross in Gold was awarded to a soldier who showed great merits in combat or achieved uncanny accomplishments.
1126 gold crosses were awarded.
From left to right: Bronze without swords, Bronze with swords, Silver with swords and Gold
Award documents for the - left: bronze without swords, right: bronze with swords
Spanish Cross in wear - left: without swords, right: with swords
Gold with Diamonds
The Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds (Deutsche Spanien-Kreuz in Gold mit Schwertern und Brillanten) was the highest rank of the decoration. It was awarded to those who showed great leadership skills in battle or outstanding meritorious service
28 gold crosses with diamonds were awarded.
Werner Mölders wearing his Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds
List of Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds recipients
Award ceremony in Hamburg on the 31th May, 1939 where members of the Legion Condor received the Spanish Cross.
Seen here are the recipients of the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds.
The Spanish Cross for Next of Kin
The Spanish Cross for Next of Kin were awarded to relatives of soldiers who lost their lives during duties in Spain.
315 crosses of this class were awarded.
"Legion Condor" Tank Battle Badge
(Panzerkampfabzeichen der Legion Condor)
On the 23rd September 1936 Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma was ordered, by the Army High Command, to Spain as Commander of Group "Imker" (Beekeeper), the ground contingent of the German Legion Condor.
Arriving in Spain in early October 1936, the personnel of Group "Imker" who were originally volunteers from Panzer Regiment 6 "Neuruppin" of the 3rd Panzer Division were tasked with the training of Franco's Spanish Nationalist officers and men in tanks, infantry tactics, artillery and signals employment. Group "Imker" maintained two, then three panzer training companies equipped with Panzer I light tanks under the codename group "Drohne" (Drones).
Veteran of group "Drohne" wearing his Legion Condor Tank Battle Badge
Spanish Decorations awarded to members of the "Legion Condor"
Cuff title of the "Legion Condor"
(Schellmann Family)
As well as the Spanish Cross, Legionnaires could also expect a Campaign Medal struck by the Spanish authorities to thank German volunteers for their service.
There were also decorations awarded to both combatant and non-combatant Legionnaires who had shown meritorious service during the Civil War.
Spanish Civil War Campaign Medal
(Spanischen Freiheitskampf Feldzugsmedaille)
(1936 - 1939)
Spanish Civil War Campaign Medal in wear
The Spanish award document to the Civil War Campaign Medal
Order of Military Merit
(Red - combatant)
The Spanish award document to the Order of Military Merit - Combatant
Typical Luftwaffe combatant ribbon bar to a member of the Legion Condor
Order of Military Merit
(White - non-combatant)
The Spanish award document to the Order of Military Merit - non combatant
Luftwaffe service parade bar in wear
4 year service medal, Spanish Order of Military Merit & campaign Medal
The Spanish Military Medal
(Militärmedaille)
Spanish Military Medal in wear
The three commanders of the "legion Condor" (Sperrie, Volkman and von Richthofen) were awarded a special class of this award with diamonds.
Wolfram von Richthofen seen wearing his Spanish Military Medal with Diamonds pinned to the lapel
Spanish War Cross - Breast Star
instituted on January 26, 1937
Cased Spanish War Cross
"Legion Condor" veteran Rudolf Henne seen wearing his Spanish Cross and War Cross
Acquired from the estate of the late Rudolf Henne, a presentation from the members of his squadron to commemorate his time in the "Legion Condor"
WW2: 9. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 51 "Edelweiss",
