The Bombing of Guernica

[Sylvester Stadler]

My belief is that the best summary of the bombing of Guernica is in James Corum's The Luftwaffe: Creating the Operational Air War, 1918-1940. He states that "There is no evidence to indicate that the German air attack on Guernica was a "terror bombing" or that Guernica was carefully targeted to break the morale of the Basque populace." "The Condor Legion bombed Guernica because of the simple fact that it was a significant military target. The two major roads needed for the retreat of much of the twenty-three battalions east of Bilbao intersected at Guernica. At least two Basque battalions, the 18th Loyala Battalion and the Saseta Battalion were stationed in the town."

Corum adds that no traffic could move through the area for about 24 hours but that the Nationalist Army did not take advantage of the bombing to cut off the Basque battalions. Corum also states that von Richthofen never had a policy of terror bombing against civilians or deliberate targeting of civilians.

Mr. Vasco, if you have information to the contrary, tell us what it is. Also, I should have added to my statement the phrase "liberal cohorts."