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History
At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War (July 1936), Germany had been engaged for almost three years in a feverish activity aimed at rebuilding its armed forces, despite the heavy limitations provided for by the Treaty of Versailles. The war seemed to Hitler to be a favorable opportunity to experiment with his own war apparatus and to affirm his role as the bitter enemy of communism, alongside the Italian fascist regime. The first aid was sent to Franco's Phalangists in August 1936, in November of the same year the German troops were reorganized and called the Condor Legion: until the end of the fighting (March 1939), the Germans committed approximately 19,000 fighters in Spain, the vast majority of whom belonged to the Luftwaffe. Returning to their homeland, the Germans took part in various parades of honor.
On 14 April 1939, Hitler established an award with a dual purpose: medal for valor for fighters who had particularly distinguished themselves and a campaign badge for all volunteers. Hitler presented the decoration with these words: "To demonstrate my appreciation and thanks for the service of the German volunteers for the destruction of Bolshevism in the Spanish War of Liberation, I establish the Spanish Cross in three classes". In the following months, several ceremonies were organized for the awarding of the decoration, in various parts of the Reich. The rules for its granting and the way to wear it were defined on 10 August 1939. To be decorated with the combatant rank (with swords) it was necessary:
Be a volunteer in the Condor Legion, or have participated in one of the following naval actions:
The air attack on 29 May 1937 against the heavy cruiser Deutschland in the waters of Ibiza.
The retaliatory bombing of Almería on 31 May 1937.
The attacks against German shipping off the coast of Palma de Majorca in May 1937
In addition, sailors who had a service role in Spanish waters for at least three months or for particular acts of valor or merit during combat could be awarded combat ranks.
The decorations for non-combatants (without swords) were awarded to soldiers or civilians who had not been involved in combat actions, but who had served for at least three months in Spain or in the Spanish War.
It was established that the proposals for granting the decoration came directly through the hierarchy to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, and from the latter to the Reich Chancellery. The decoration diplomas were partly signed directly by Hitler.
