| Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Goering (January 12, 1893 – October 15, 1946) welcomes the Spaniards who have come to Germany with the Legionnaires at the Moorweide, the open field near university of Hamburg. From left to right: Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine Großadmiral Erich Raeder (April 24, 1876 – November 6, 1960); Generalmajor Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen (October 10, 1895 – July 12, 1945), Condor Legion Stabchef, in peaked cap; General der Kavallerie Wilhelm Knochenhauer (July 23, 1878 – June 28, 1939), Kommandant of Wehrkreis X (Military District Hamburg); Goering (with Marshal’s baton); and General der Flieger Hugo Sperrle (February 7, 1885 – April 2, 1953), Kommandant of Condor Legion. On May 30, 1939, the veterans of the Condor Legion were embarked in the Wilhelm Gustloff, Robert Ley, Deutsche, Stuttgart, Sierra Cordova and the Oceana and arrived off Hamburg and were escorted into the Port by the pocket battleships Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Scheer. Goering reviewed the procession from the yacht Hamburg. After 3 years of fighting, including the bombing of Guernica, the Condor Legion returned to Germany after the Nationalist victory in April 1939. The Kraft durch Freude (“Strength Through Joy”) fleet, including the Motor Vessel Wilhelm Gustloff and 7 other ships, were given secret orders on May 20, 1939, and diverted from their regular pleasure-cruise schedule to arrive in Vigo, Spain. They arrived on May 24 to pick up the Condor Legion, and departed on May 26 for a 5-day voyage to Hamburg, Germany. They arrived to crowds, parades and ceremonies celebrating their success, with Hermann Goering and other high-ranking officials in attendance. The Condor Legion went home May 28 and marched in review before Hitler and other officials in a huge parade in Berlin June 6 that reunited 14,000 veterans of the war in Spain. 3 months later, Germany invaded Poland, beginning World War II. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0812.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.14 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 3768 x 2267 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 31, 1939 |
| Location | Moorweide |
| City | Hamburg |
| State or Province | Hamburg |
| Country | Germany |
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| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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