 Two years later, on 19 December 1937, "Oberleutnant" Schellmann took over command of the 1st "Staffel" of "Jagdgruppe" 88, in the "Condor Legion", fighting in the Spanish Civil War.Over the next year he became one of the leading aces in the theatre with 12 victories, second only to Werner Mölders.Upon his return to Germany he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds and promoted to "Hauptmann" (Captain).