on 31 march, german and italian transport planes modified to carry bombs (german ju 52 and italian savoia-marchetti sm.81) from the "condor legion" and the "aviazione legionaria" bombed the town in relays. two churches were bombed during the celebration of mass, killing 14 nuns and the officiated priest. furthermore, heinkel he 51 fighters strafed fleeing civilians. altogether, around 250 civilians (thomas: 248; beevor: 250 and preston: 258) died in the attack.