Adolf Hitler speech to Legion Condor soldiers in Lustgarten

Berlin, June 6, 1939

My Comrades!
Finally I am able to greet you now in person.
I am so happy to see you here before me, and above all I am so proud of you!
And at this hour the entire German people feels as I do. All those millions who are
experiencing at the loudspeaker and in spirit your entry and reception take you into
their hearts, filled with gratitude and joyfully moved that again you are with us in the
homeland.
In the Summer of 1936, Spain appeared to be lost. International forces fanned
the fire of a revolution which was certain to reduce to ruins not only Spain but Europe
as well. Even the Christian Democrats insisted on delivering for this purpose, weapons
fuel, and so-called volunteers. A dreadfully threatening fate raised itself over our
continent. The most ancient cultural lands of Europe appeared to be endangered. From
Spain itself tens of thousands of Germans had to flee. Their worldly goods fell victim
to the destruction. Many were murdered. What the Germans there had built up in a
laborious, long, honest battle for life as the basis of their existence was destroyed and
annihilated in just a few weeks.
German warships, which I immediately sent to Spain in response to the cries for
help from our racial comrades, attempted to assist, as they -- at least as well as could
be -- took over the defense of life and limb and enabled the removal of our racial
comrades to the homeland. Then arose ever more clearly in this land a man who
seemed to be called by the command of his own conscience to act for his people.
Franco began his struggle for the salvation of Spain. Against him arose a
conspiracy fed from around the world.
In July 1936, I had resolved quickly to respond to the request for help which this
man extended to me and to help him in the same measure and for as long as the rest of
the world would render support to the internal enemies of Spain. With that National
Socialist Germany began to partake actively in the battle for the reestablishment of a
national and independent Spain under the leadership of this man. I ordered this in the
knowledge that I could save not only Europe but also our own fatherland from a
similar catastrophe in the future.
But I also did this from the deep sympathy for the suffering of a land which once
had remained neutrally friendly towards us in the World War, in spite of all oppressive

attempts on the part of England. With that I have extended the thanks of the German
nation.
This happened furthermore in full agreement with Italy. Because Mussolini,
inspired by the same idealistic considerations, had likewise made the decision to have
Italian assistance sent to the savior of Spain in his struggle against the internationally
organized annihilation of his land. With that a practical, mutual demonstration of the
unified world-view of our two lands was revealed for the first time.
These idealistic motives were neither able to be grasped nor wanted to be
admitted in the international plutocracies. For years British and French newspapers
informed their readers that Germany and Italy allegedly had the intention of
conquering Spain, dividing it up, and above all of robbing it of its colonies. Trains of
thought which in any case seem less unnatural in the representatives of these lands
than with us, since the robbing of foreign colonies has always belonged indeed to the
permitted and tested methods of these democracies.
So we recall the infamous assertions which were spread one day that Germany
had landed 20,000 men in Morocco in order to occupy it and thus take it away from
Spain. With these libels the politicians and journalists of the democracies have
agitated their peoples and have sought again and again to take from Spain the outcome
of that catastrophe which these politicians of encirclement, war-mongers, and warprofiteers desire most ardently the new great war between the European peoples.
Now you, my comrades, have returned from Spain. This day of festive reception
in the Reich capital is at the same time the conclusion and the completion of all these
mendacious democratic lies.
Because once I sent you to help an unfortunate land, to support a heroic man,
who wanted as a splendid patriot to rescue his people from annihilation and has indeed
gloriously rescued it. You are now returned as the valiant executors of my task. I
would like to make it known at this moment to the entire German nation how much
reason it has to be thankful to you. For that service to which you were entrusted you
have reported as honorable and dutiful German soldiers, courageous and loyal and
above all modest. The high praise which the Spanish hero of freedom has expressed of
you can only make the German people but especially proud of you.
It was painful for us all to have to be silent about your battle through these long
years. But I conceived at that time the idea of giving you in the homeland after the end
of this war the reception which valiant, victorious soldiers deserve. Today for you and
for me my intent is fulfilled. The entire German people greets you in proud elation and
heartfelt solidarity.
But thanks also are due those who as soldiers have had to sacrifice life, limb, and
health in the service of this mission, and finally thanks are due to the bereaved
families, who mourn their so valiant men and sons today as victims. They are fallen,

but their death and their suffering will spare the lives of countless other Germans in
the future.
No one has more understanding of this than National Socialist Germany, which,
emerging from the struggle of the World War, itself had to bear in the German
rebuilding many victims to the same enemy. I thank you soldiers of the Legion as well
as the soldiers of the Navy for your readiness for action, for your sacrificial courage,
for your loyalty, your obedience, for your discipline, and above all for your silent
fulfillment of your duty.
Your example, my comrades, will above all but increase the trust of the German
people for you, strengthen the band of camaraderie with our friends, and leave for the
world no doubt that whenever the international war-mongers should ever desire to
realize their intention of attacking Germany, their attempt will experience from the
German people and the German Wehrmacht a repulse of which the propagandists of
encirclement seem incapable even today of imagining. In this sense as well, my
comrades, your battle in Spain, as a lesson for our foes, was a battle for Germany.
That you yourselves are now returned as hardened soldiers has not only
sharpened your own appreciation for the achievements of the German soldiers in the
World War, but also made you fit in an equally high measure to be the examples and
instructors of the young soldiers of our new Wehrmacht. Thus have you helped in
strengthening the trust in the new German Wehrmacht and in our new weapons.
At this moment we also desire to remember on whose side you have fought. We
remember the Italian comrades, who valiantly and loyally gave their blood and life for
this battle of civilization against destruction. And we remember above all the land
itself from which you have just come. Spain has had to endure an appalling fate. You,
soldiers of the Legion, have seen the destruction with your own eyes. You have
experienced the cruelty of this battle. But you have also gotten to know a proud
people, which boldly and heroically has fought with resolution for almost three years
for the salvation of its freedom, its independence, and, with that, its national existence.
You had above all the fortune to stand there under the command of a general who
from his own power of resolve, unerringly believing in victory, became the savior of
his people.
We all have in this moment only the sincere and heartfelt desire that the noble
Spanish people now might not be begrudged the completion of a new, proud ascent
under the genial leadership of this man.
Legionaries and soldiers! Long live the German people! Long live the Spanish
people and its leader Franco! Long live the Italian people and its Duce! German
people! Long live our Legion!
Hail Victory!

Target audience
Tone and mood
Content and theme
Stylistic devices