a unit of the German air force, or Luftwaffe, detailed by Hermann Göring for special duty with General Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). It was sent to Franco on the condition that it stay under German command. The Legion consisted of four bomber squadrons (of 12 bombers each) and four fighter squadrons and was backed by antiaircraft and antitank units. It engaged in several raids, especially on Barcelona. On April 27, 1937, it attacked the Basque city of Guernica with great devastation and loss of life.