| mashrewba | 27 Oct 2014 1:57 p.m. PST |
I saw one in a Museum in Barcelona – I imagine as a German weapon it would be used by the Nationalists? If so would it be given to regular units or militas? Did the Republicans have any? I've got 3 models in 20mm but I'm not sure who to give them to!! |
| bruntonboy | 27 Oct 2014 3:16 p.m. PST |
I wouldn't be very surprised to see the weapon on either side or faction to be honest. The Republic bought items form all over the place. Although I would have expected a Nationalist unit might be (slightly) more likely. |
| mashrewba | 27 Oct 2014 3:19 p.m. PST |
This is what I thought -I'm keeping the crews fairly generic. |
| Super Mosca | 27 Oct 2014 4:17 p.m. PST |
The book 'Arms of the Spanish Republic', which reprints photos of an exhibition after the war put on by the Nationalist government, clearly shows an MG 08 unongst the wide range of machine guns. It is listed as being made in Germany, but being sourced from Russia, maybe indicating that it was captured by the Russians during the First World War then making its way to the Republicans. -Kosta |
| Fatman | 27 Oct 2014 5:43 p.m. PST |
I converted my 15mm ones into Civil Guards. I went on the theory it was an older weapon just the sort of thing you would pass on to paramilitaries after newer equipment was issued to the armed forces. Fatman |
| Weasel | 27 Oct 2014 10:56 p.m. PST |
It could have gotten there from almost anywhere. German military aid (unless they were all destroyed after WW1?), Italian WW1 captures, Russian captures from WW1 or the RCW. |
| Rrobbyrobot | 28 Oct 2014 9:56 a.m. PST |
For conflicts such as the Spanish Civil War it might be worth remembering that weapons were in short supply for both sides. Weapons like the MG08 were war surplus items available to those willing to pay for them. Often at inflated prices. So it should be no surprise to see such in use by either side.
Take a look at the Chinese Nationalist forces during much the same period and see the wide variety of weapons used. Another example would be the Finns during their Civil War. Or during the Winter War.
Further, the Germans themselves used MG08s during WW2. Both at the beginning of the war and towards the end. |
| Lion in the Stars | 28 Oct 2014 10:00 a.m. PST |
Leave the weapon separate from the crew if you can? Or at least leave any faction-specific crew separate? |
| mashrewba | 30 Oct 2014 5:20 a.m. PST |
Thanks guys -I've crewed these weapons with blokes in berets -can't go far wrong there!! |
| George Spiggott | 14 Oct 2015 5:05 a.m. PST |
Goering was selling arms to the Republicans at one point according to Anthony Beevor. You can justify the use of most equipment for either side as captured equipment. |
Youngknight  | 17 Oct 2015 5:00 a.m. PST |
Yes, Goering sold weapons through various front companies to both sides. The Commander of the Condor Legion's complaints about this fell on deaf ears. Go figure! |
| flooglestreet | 14 Mar 2016 5:22 p.m. PST |
Germany, quite discreetly, helped the Republic during the anschluss. Hitler wanted Mussolini to be busy when he annexed Austria. |
| Aristonicus | 15 Mar 2016 3:10 a.m. PST |
According to my notes (based on Howson, Arms for Spain) the Republicans received 200 x MG08/15 (on the Campeche 4/10/36) while the Nationalists received 2000; The Nationalists also received 2000 x MG08. The Republicans did receive 1272 x "Other Maxim Machine Guns 7.92mm" on the Ranbom (not via USSR) in February 1937 which included Polish Maxim wz. 1910/28, and possibly other types from Poland. |
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