The experience of the German "Kondor Legion" during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) refuted this idea. Even though it was equipped with types unsuited to the role, such as the Henschel Hs 123 and cannon-armed versions of the Heinkel He 112, the "Kondor Legion" proved that ground-attack aircraft were a very effective weapon. This led to support within the "Luftwaffe" for the creation of an aircraft dedicated to this role, and the "Reichsluftministerium" (RLM; "Reich Air Ministry") requested tenders for a specialized ground attack aircraft.