During World War II, Spain, under Francisco Franco, maintained an official stance of neutrality, though it leant towards the Axis powers due to their support during the Spanish Civil War.
The Spanish Air Force, known as the “Ejército del Aire,” was reorganised in 1939 and played a role in safeguarding Spanish neutrality.
Spain’s air force benefited from experienced pilots and crews who had fought alongside German and Italian aviators during the Civil War.
However, many of its aircraft were outdated by the rapid advancements in aviation technology during the war.
Despite this, Spain managed to maintain a functional air force, which included German and Italian aircraft like the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Fiat CR.32.
Pilots in Spain’s air force during World War II had a unique set of experiences shaped by the country’s neutrality and its recent Civil War.
Many of these aviators were veterans of the Spanish Civil War, giving them valuable combat experience.
They had flown alongside German and Italian pilots, which influenced their tactics and training.
During the war, Spanish pilots primarily focused on patrolling airspace and protecting Spanish territories, such as Spanish Morocco.
They occasionally intercepted Allied and Axis aircraft that violated Spanish neutrality.
Despite their skills, they often flew outdated aircraft, as Spain’s air force struggled to keep up with the rapid advancements in aviation technology during the war.
Some Spanish pilots also volunteered to serve in the German Luftwaffe as part of the “Blue Squadrons,” fighting on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union.
These pilots gained further combat experience, with some achieving ace status.
Aces
During World War II, some Spanish pilots gained recognition as aces, despite Spain’s official neutrality.
Many of these pilots served in the German Luftwaffe as part of the “Blue Squadrons,” which were volunteer units sent to fight on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union.
Here are 14 of the many Spanish Aces:
1. Captain Hevia Álvarez de Quiñones: 12 victories
2. Major Cuadra Medina: 10 victories
3. Captain Gavilán Ponce de León: 9 victories
4. Lieutenant Sánchez-Arjona Courtoy: 9 victories
5. Major Salas Larrazabal: 7 victories
6. Ensign Aldecoa Lecanda: 7 victories
7. Lieutenant Arango López: 7 victories
8. Lieutenant Azqueta Brunet: 6 victories
9. Lieutenant Meneses Orozco: 6 victories
10. Lieutenant Sánchez-Tabernero de Prada: 6 victories
11. Lieutenant Valiente Zárraga: 6 victories
12. Lieutenant Lucas Fernández-Peña: 6 victories
13. Captain Alós Herreros : 5 victories
14. Ensign Mateos Recio: 5 victories
These pilots gained valuable combat experience and contributed to Spain’s aviation legacy, even though their involvement was outside Spain’s official military operations.
Aircraft
During World War II, the Spanish Francoist Air Force operated a mix of German, Italian, and domestically produced aircraft.
Spain maintained neutrality during the war but had strong ties to Axis powers, which influenced its air force’s composition.
Here are some notable aircraft used
Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann
Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister
De Havilland Tiger Moth
Dornier Do 24
Fiat BR.20
Fiat CR.32
Fiat G.50
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor
Gotha Go 145
Heinkel He 111
Heinkel He 112
Junkers Ju 88
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
These aircraft were used for various roles, including defence, training, and maintaining Spanish neutrality by patrolling its airspace.
Credits
Air War Over Spain-Jesus S Larrazabal.
Air War Over Spain, Classic Colours, Aviators, Aircraft and Air Units of the Nationalist and
Republican Air Forces 1936-1939-Rafael Permuy.
Spanish Air Force Aircraft-Eduardo M G Martineze & Juan A Cerda.
Spanish Air Force During World War II, Germanys Hidden Ally?-Eduardo Martineze.
The Spanish Air Force from 1939 to the present day-Pere Redón-Trabal.
