At the start of the Spanish Civil War the nationalists sought help for their cause from Germany, following which volunteers from the German Air Force and Army formed what was called the Condor Legion.

This force made a significant contribution to General Franco's eventual victory and this included two experimental air units, known as VJ/88 and VB/88. The former's mission was to combat test the new monoplane fighters; the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Heinkel He 112. The latter group's task was to test the new twin-engine, retractable undercarriage bombers; the Heinkel He 111, the...