The War in Spain

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 9

The War in Spain

REVIEW OF THE CONFLICT The Spanish civil war will have a place of its own in modern history as a fratricidal conflict which began more or less as a struggle between political ideologies and was prolonged by the lcft-humlcd participation for their own ends of technically neutral Powers, Italy and Germany on tho one hand and Soviet Russia, with aid also from French and other sources, on the other hand, states tho New Zealand Ilcrald. Prior to July, 1936, Spain had been for years in a stato of ferment, to which many causes contributed. Among these were the poverty of the peasants, feudal oppression by the large landholders, non-co-operation, between the provinces, widespread illiteracy and the general political backwardness of tlic people. Tho country had been for a decade the happy hunting-ground of “Red” elements, which found a fertile soiL for propaganda against civil order. After tho deposition of King Alfonso and the proclamation of a republic in April, 1931, the Government had to meet uprisings from both Right and Left, including an attempt to set up an independent republic in Catalonia, the principal industrial region, in 1934. It attempted agrarian and other reforms, but the Socialist and Communist elements gradually gained strength, and there were many serious anti-clerical outrages. Communist Plot. In December, 1935, President Zamora suspended sittings of the Cortes and called for a general election, in which the Leftist Party, the Frente Popular, won a clear victory. However, it failed to hold power and tho Premier, Senor Az.na, resigned to become President. Tho new Government, under Senor Quiroga, soon found that tho extreme “Reds” wero plotting a Communist revolution by armed uprisings iu all parts of Spain, while disaffection had been spread in tho Fleet. The parties of the Right became convinced that if they were not to be butchered piecemeal they would have to act resolutely and at once. The Army, one of tho most stablo and patriotic elements in tho nation, decided to join forces with them and to save Spain by seizing power from the weak Government. Outbreak of the War. This counter-plot was still immature when, on July 13, 1936, the Rightist leader, Calvo Sotelo, was arrested and murdered by shock police. Five days later the garrisons in Spanish Morocco, comprising 50,000 of the best-tramed and disciplined troops, rose in revolt. Hurrying back from Portugal, the intended leader, General Sanjurjo, was killed iu an air crash, and the command devolved on Colonel Francisco Franco, who was brought by aeroplane from the Canary Islands. Next day lighting broke out all over Spain. In spite of a blockade, Franco brought seasoned divisions across tho Straits. The situation at first was very confused, but it soon became clear that the Government was iu control of tho cities of the central and eastern provinces, while tho Nationalists held those of tho western and northern, except Asturias and tho Basque Country, w.hich -were cut off from the rest of the Government territory. Nationalists ’ Offensive. Tho Government commenced hostilities by launching four divergent offensives, against Saragossa, Cordova and Seville, and on tho Guadarramma front. At tho end of July a. Nationalist political administration, was set up at Burgos. Franco then felt, himself strong, enough to launch an eastward offensive tu freo. tho important Burgos-Sevillo railway. This ho did, and four weeks from the outset tho Nationalists held two-thirds of the country, and their front extended in a wide arc around Madrid. A notable early event in the war was the 70 days’ defence of the Alcazar at Toledo by 1500 military cadets against great odds until relief arrived.

In the north Goneral Mola captured the seaports of San Sebastian and lrun, and in November the Government withdrew from Madrid to Valencia. The same month Italy and Germany recog-

nised Franco’s administration as the Government of Spain. Madrid. Holds Out. Hostilities Ragged.in the mid-winter months, but in February, 1937, an offensive along tho Mediterranean coast by General Quiepo. do Llano, whoso forco included a large body of Italians, captured Malaga, and the advance was continued to within 25 miles of Almeria, Madrid continued to hold out well against Nationalist assaults and bombing. A Government counter-offensive in the west nearly reached Toledo. However, the Nationalists gained much territory iu the Asturias. A drivo against tho Basque Provinces was maintained during the summer and autumn, Bilbao, Santander and Gijon falling in succession, until by October the whole region had changed hands. The mid-Avinter lull in hostilities was broken by tho Government forces, which attacked tho important salient of Teruel, inland from Valencia, and captured the town early in January, 1938. Drive to the Sea. As a preliminary to a spring offensive, the Nationalists recaptured Teruel in February after fierce fighting. Next came a rapid advance from Aragon into Catalonia and a drive to the sea, which yielded 45 miles of coast north of Valencia in April, and cut the Government’s territory in two. Against, strong resistance the Nationalists continued their pressure toward Barcelona, which was now the seat of the Government, while the Catalan ports were heavily and systematically bombed. Just after Christmas Franco launched an offensive on a 70-mile front, intending it as a knock-out blow. To croato a diversion, the Government commander-in-chief, General Miaja, attacked in the west toward Cordova and the Sevillo-Salamanca railway,, as well as north and west of Madrid, but without much effect. Gol'.apso of Government. The Government mobilised all its available man-power in Catalonia, but failed to stop the Nationalists’ advance. Tarragona was occupied on January 15, and 11 days later the almost disintegrated Government armies abandoned Barcelona. Tho occupation of the remaining territory in the northeast was swiftly accomplished, and by

the middle of February all resistance in that part of Spain was at an end.