On July 26, 1936, the governments of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy publicly declared their intention to intervene in the Spanish Civil War, aligning their military forces with Francisco Franco and the Nationalist faction. This intervention arose in the context of the broader ideological battles of the time, where fascists and communists were clashing across Europe. Franco's Nationalists sought to overthrow the Republican government that had emerged after the abdication of King Alfonso XIII in 1931. The Republicans were largely supported by leftist groups, including socialists and communists, which alarmed both Berlin and Rome. The intervention included both material and personnel support, with Germany contributing the Condor Legion, an air force unit that provided significant aerial operations. Italy also sent troops, tanks, and artillery to aid Franco’s cause. This foreign involvement fundamentally transformed the Spanish Civil War, supplying both sides with weapons, resources, and strategic advantages. The arrival of foreign mercenaries and military equipment allowed the Nationalists to gain the upper hand against Republican forces, marking a decisive turn in the conflict.