Probablly one of the bloodiest interwar conflicts and one that helped to set the stage for the Second World War was the civil war in Spain that was fought from 1936-1939. It was basically a war against the regime that was in place and one that supported the Spanish republic (the Republicans) and those that felt it was time for a change from the old and corrupt way (the Nationalists). It is probably not surprising that the Nationalists were mostly disgruntled military officers who were able to rally their troops to their cause. Of course, not all went with them and there were loyalist officers and units. If this sounds very much like most Latin American revolts, well it is, in many ways, just like them.

What both sides needed, besides the support of the people and troops, was equipment. This ran the gamut from firearms to aircraft. Most of the navy went with the Republicans, but not all. The split in aircraft, which is the main focus of this book, was initially with the Republicans. Now all the major European powers including France and Germany signed a pact where they would remain neutral and not supply arms to either side. However, the Nationalists had friends in the Germans and initially reached out to them to help at least in transport aircraft to fly divisions from North Africa where they had no resistance, to the mainland. The Germans broke the pact and supplied Ju-52s to move troops and also act as bombers. What is surprising is that the Republicans made no attempt to intercept this air bridge where the trimotors had no fighter protection.

Eventually both the Soviet Union and Italy also helped out with equipment and forces with the Italians going with the Nationalists, who had distinct fascist leanings, while the Soviets assisted the Republicans. The balance of air power swung back and forth, first with the Republicans on the ascendency then with the incorporation of Soviet equipment it moved back and then with increased German participation it moved back again. All three nations, Soviet Union, Germany, and Italy used Spain as a proving ground for their aircraft and tactics with the Germans sending many prototype and preproduction aircraft for testing in battle.

The book is superbly researched and well written, providing not only the various air operations and major battles, but also puts it against a background of the war itself. It is heavily illustrated with many of the images new to me and chosen for clarity. In addition to the great images, there are well done maps and charts as well as the usual great full color profiles. It is a book that I very much enjoyed reading and one that I can highly recommend to you.

April 2026

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