9. Guernica Bombing was Trial Run & Training Ground For The Luftwaffe
The Royal Italian air force played a role in the destruction of Guernica. In Spain, the Italian pilots were under the direct command of the Spanish Nationalists and they cooperated with the Condor Legion. Mussolini sent to Spain 6,000 aviation personnel as well as about 720 aircraft, to help the Nationalist Spanish forces. However, in the attack on Guernica, the Italian air force only played a supporting role. Some Italian fighters and bombers joined the Condor Legion in one of the waves of attacks that destroyed Guernica. The Italian role at Guernica has often been forgotten but they are also partially responsible for the tragedy in Guernica and the deaths and maiming of so many.
However, the attack on Guernica can be seen as mainly a Luftwaffe operation and the German air force must shoulder the blame for the bulk of the terror. It was a Luftwaffe planned attack and directed by their commander Richthofen. Berlin was eager to conduct the raid. Goering saw the Spanish Civil War as a testing and training ground for the Luftwaffe. He is believed to have wanted a large-scale Luftwaffe operation to see if it had the capabilities to engage in carpet bombing.