Editing Condor Legion (section)

===Biscay campaign===
The isolated area of Biscay, a predominantly-Basque region of northern Spain, was the most immediate target in what was called the [[War in the North]].{{sfn|Westwell|2004|p=30}} It was largely a Nationalist and Italian offensive, supported by a consistently re-equipping Condor Legion.{{sfn|Thomas|1961|pp=401–402}} The terrain was favourable, with planes coming over a range of mountains to the south which masked their entrance.{{sfn|Westwell|2004|p=30}} Sperrle remained in Salamanca; [[Wolfram von Richthofen]] replaced Holle in January as deputy, and was in actual command.{{sfn|Westwell|2004|p=30}} Since the Basque air force was limited, [[fighter aircraft]] were used in ground-attack roles rather than air-to-air combat. The Legion's air force initially attacked the towns of [[Otxandio]] and [[Durango, Spain|Durango]].{{sfn|Thomas|1961|p=403}} Durango had no anti-aircraft defence, and only a few other defences. According to the Basques, 250 civilians died there on 31 March (including a priest, nuns and the congregation at a church ceremony).{{sfn|Thomas|1961|p=403}}{{sfn|Westwell|2004|p=31}} The Germans, because of their air raids, were hated.{{sfn|Thomas|1961|pp=403–404}} The Basque ground forces were in full retreat towards [[Bilbao]] through the town of [[Guernica]], which was bombed on 26 April in one of the war's most controversial attacks.{{sfn|Westwell|2004|p=31}}