The Condor Legion and Beyond: The Influence of the German Secret Field Police in the Spanish Civil War
Abstract
This article examines the role of the German Secret Field Police (GFP) during the Spanish Civil War. Deployed prior to the arrival of the Condor Legion, the GFP's primary mission was to protect German military forces and Germany itself from any potential leaks of information that could jeopardise its strategic interests. Throughout the course of the war, the GFP underwent significant restructuring and initiated a process of collaboration with Spanish units. This article provides an account of the GFP's structural evolution during the war in Spain, assesses its operational performance, and analyses the results of police collaboration between Spain and Germany.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Spanish History and Politics
Intelligence
Security
War Strategy
Military History and Strategy
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Contemporary History
- Volume
- 61
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 736–757
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN