Although Australasia had no intention of participating in the Spanish Civil War, the conflict was still an excellent learning opportunity for Australasia.
With Germany and Italy sending their so-called volunteer forces, the war would provide an early look at German combat tactics, as well as the current German and Italian approaches to modern warfare.
For this reason, Australasia decided to dispatch a small Military Observation Group. The group would remain neutral throughout the Spanish Civil War, with its primary mission being to observe the tactical systems and operational thinking of both sides, as well as the overall strategic direction of the war.
This rare war would also become one of the few real-world subjects studied at the Australasian Royal Military Academy. A small number of outstanding Military Academy cadets would receive the opportunity to join the Military Observation Group.
On this point, the British people and Australasia held the same view.
Although the British people took little action during the Spanish Civil War, the British military also dispatched a Military Observation Group, with the exact purpose of observing the combat capabilities of the German and Italian armies.
To the British people, the combat capabilities of the German and Italian armies would affect their subsequent diplomatic maneuvers.
If the German and Italian armies were extremely powerful, the British people would turn around and support France, ensuring a balance of power on the European continent.
But if the German and Italian armies were merely so-so, unable to pull far ahead of the French people, the British people would continue to remain neutral and let France and Germany bleed each other dry.
This was also why the British people had not stepped forward to oppose Germany and Italy sending their so-called volunteer forces. After all, this was an excellent opportunity to test the