THE CONDOR LEGION
THE WEHRMACHT’S TRAINING GROUND
The Condor Legion was the expeditionary force of soldiers and airmen sent by Hitler to aid Franco’s Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. The Germans used the war as an opportunity to develop equipment and tactics, and their force included not only instructors, but also combat units of artillery, aircraft, and tanks. These units tested guns, planes and tanks, and perfected techniques that were used in the 1940 Blitzkreig.
Many of the officers prominent in the early campaigns of WW2 won their first successes in Spain.
In October 1936, 2 German ships arrived in Spain loaded with a Panzer 1 Company, and all the services and personnel to establish Franco’s army’s first armoured unit. The so called PANZER-GRUPPE DROHNE.
Oberstleutnant Willhelm Ritter Von Thoma was to command the contingent.
Two versions of the Panzerkampfwagen 1 were shipped to Spain, the A and B. The design was pioneered by Krupp in the early 1930’s. The PzKpfw 1 A had a two man crew, and was armed with two 7.92mm MG13s.
Battle experience in the SCW indicated that the Pzkpfw had several weaknesses. Its 0.5inch armour offered little protection against even the smallest anti-tank guns possessed by the Republicans. Its weapons were also far to lightweight to take on enemy tanks and the vehicle lacked the endurance to participate in prolonged action, often leaving the 2 man crew working in its cramped condition quickly exhausted. These invaluable practical lessons added impetus to new tank designs, although the Pzkpfw 1 itself continued to see service in Poland and France during 1939 and 1940.
Figures will be sold separately, and will be usable with several different models.