Editing Kriegsmarine (section)

===Spanish Civil War===
{{see also|German involvement in the Spanish Civil War#Maritime operations}}
The first military action of the ''Kriegsmarine'' came during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). Following the outbreak of hostilities in July 1936 several large warships of the German fleet were sent to the region. The heavy cruisers ''Deutschland'' and {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Scheer||2}}, and the light cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Köln||2}} were the first to be sent in July 1936. These large ships were accompanied by the 2nd Torpedo-boat Flotilla. The German presence was used to covertly support [[Francisco Franco|Francisco Franco's]] Nationalists although the immediate involvement of the ''Deutschland'' was humanitarian relief operations and evacuating 9,300 refugees, including 4,550 German citizens. Following the brokering of the [[Non-intervention in the Spanish Civil War|International Non-Intervention Patrol]] to enforce an international arms embargo, the ''Kriegsmarine'' was allotted the patrol area between [[Cabo de Gata]] (Almeria) and [[Oropesa del Mar|Cabo de Oropesa]]. Numerous vessels served as part of these duties including {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Graf Spee||2}}. On 29 May 1937 the [[Deutschland incident (1937)|''Deutschland'' was attacked]] off [[Ibiza]] by two bombers from the [[Spanish Republican Air Force|Republican Air Force]]. Total casualties from the Republican attack were 31 dead and 110 wounded, 71 seriously, mostly burn victims. In retaliation the ''Admiral Scheer'' [[Bombardment of Almería|shelled Almeria]] on 31 May killing 19–20 civilians, wounding 50 and destroying 35 buildings.<ref>Thomas, Hugh. ''The Spanish Civil War''. Penguin Books. London. 2006. p.665</ref> Following further attacks by Republican submarines against the {{ship|German cruiser|Leipzig||2}} off the port of [[Oran]] between 15 and 18 June 1937 Germany withdrew from the Non-Intervention Patrol.

U-boats also participated in covert action against Republican shipping as part of [[Operation Ursula]]. At least eight U-boats engaged a small number of targets in the area throughout the conflict. (By comparison the Italian ''[[Regia Marina]]'' operated 58 submarines in the area as part of the ''Sottomarini Legionari''.)