Bombing of Durango facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bombing of Durango.
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Photo of the bombing taken by an Italian pilot.
Date 31 March 1937 Location Durango, Biscay, Spain Result The town of Durango was destroyed
Belligerents
Spanish Republic	Aviazione Legionaria Condor Legion
Commanders and leaders
?	?
Strength
Anti-aircraft artillery	He-51 and CR.32 fighters 9 SM.81 bombers
Casualties and losses
248–250 civilians dead	None

The Bombing of Durango took place on 31 March 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. On 31 March 1937 the Nationalists started their offensive against the Republican held province of Biscay. As part of the offensive the Aviazione Legionaria and the Legion Condor bombed Durango, a town of 10,000 inhabitants that was also a key road and railway junction behind the frontline. Around 250 people are believed to have died in the bombing.

Background

On 31 March 1937, the Nationalist forces, led by Emilio Mola, started the offensive against the Republican held, Vizcaya Province. The same day the Nationalists bombed the towns of Durango and Elorrio.

The bombing

Durango, a town of 10,000 inhabitants, was a road and railway junction between Bilbao and the front. By bombing the road and infrastructure in the town, the Republican forces would be prevented from sending reinforcements from Bilbao. It would also ensure that the Basque and Republican troops couldn't retreat in an orderly fashion in order to fight another day.

Despite the importance of Durango as a transportation junction, the town had no air defences, and there were only a few Republican fighter planes to be found in the Basque region.

On 31 March, German and Italian transport planes modified to carry bombs (German Ju 52 and Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM.81) from the Condor Legion and the Aviazione Legionaria bombed the town in relays. Two churches were bombed during the celebration of mass, killing 14 nuns and the officiated priest. Furthermore, Heinkel He 51 fighters strafed fleeing civilians. Altogether, around 250 civilians died in the attack.

Aftermath

On 28 April, Durango fell to Nationalist side.

The Nationalists denied responsibility for the bombing, claiming that the priest and the nuns who died in the bombing were killed by the reds.

The bombing of Durango was to a certain extent overlooked historically. Instead, it was the bombing of Guernica, a similar air attack that took place four weeks later, that came to symbolize the horrors of modern aerial warfare in the public consciousness.

See also

• Aviazione Legionaria
• Condor Legion
• List of aircraft of the Spanish Republican Air Force