Spanish-German Military Collaboration during the Spanish Non-Belligerency: German Advice for the Defence of the Canary Islands in November 1942

Abstract

The goal of this article is to study one of the lesser known questions of the Spanish approach to the Axis during the Second World War: German assistance in the defence of the Canary Islands against an Allied attack. To accomplish this objective, a German officer’s visit to these islands to improve their defence after the Anglo-Canadian landing at Dieppe is analysed. The visit proves the maintenance of Spanish-German collaboration at the end of 1942. The report submitted by the officer influenced the reorganization of the defence of the islands in 1943.