6. A Steadily Intensifying Aerial Onslaught
The bombing grew ever more intense and continuous, and systematically demolished Guernica and the surrounding region up to a five mile radius. The attack finally stopped when it grew too dark to fly, around 7:45 PM. People rushing back to the shelters were choked by dust and smoke, and grew alarmed when it became clear that the cellars were not strong enough to protect them from heavy bombs. They stampeded to the open fields surrounding the town, but Heinkel 51 fighters swept over, strafing the fleeing men, women, and children, as well as the livestock. The major part of the aerial onslaught had not even begun. Bombers continued to arrive over Guernica in systematic twenty minute relays, for two and a half hours. Their loads ranged from small antipersonnel 20 pound bombs, to 550 pound heavier bombs, plus incendiaries in 2 pound aluminum tubes that were sprinkled down like confetti.
