Throughout his lifetime General Franco proudly maintained the myth of Spain's neutrality during World War II. In practice, Franco came very close to making Spain a member of the Axis in war and remained an active supporter of the Nazi war effort. This support derived from a mixture of ideological sympathy towards the Fascist powers, gratitude for Hitler and Mussolini's vital intervention in the Spanish Civil War, and aspirations of empire.
Germany's intervention in the Spanish Civil War and Spain's role in the Second World War are among the key issues explored in this collection of essays tracing the evolution of Hispano-German relations from 1936 to 1945.