Bombing of Guernica

1937 attack by military aircraft during the Spanish Civil War on the Basque village of Guernica

The bombing of Guernica (26 April 1937) was an aerial bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. It was mainly carried out by the Nazi German Luftwaffe's Condor Legion and the Fascist Italian Aviazione Legionaria.

Operation Rügen
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Ruins of Guernica (1937)
TypeAerial bombing
LocationGuernica, Basque Country, Spain
Planned byNational Defense Junta
Date26 April 1937; 86 years ago (1937-04-26)
16:30 – 19:30 (CET)
Executed byNazi Germany Condor Legion

The attack is controversial because of the bombing of civilians by a military air force, which is seen as a war crime.