11. The First German Military Contingent Sent to Spain
Three million Reichsmarks were earmarked to fund an ostensibly private joint Spanish-German enterprise, the Spanish-Moroccan Transport Company, created to provide cover and conceal German involvement. Over the next few months, German pilots operating German airplanes carried out an airlift codenamed Operation Magic Fire, to fly Franco’s soldiers to Spain. Ju 52s crammed with Spanish troops transported about 13,500 veteran soldiers, plus 36 artillery pieces and 126 machine guns. It was the world’s greatest airlift until then. Magic Fire finally ended in October, when the fascists won control of the sea lanes between North Africa and Spain. That enabled them to transport troops and equipment more economically in ships. In the meantime, the Germans were busy recruiting and organizing volunteers to help Franco. On August 1st, 1936, a first contingent of 86 men, accompanied by antiaircraft guns, six fighter airplanes, and about 100 tons of supplies, was sent to Spain.
