Spanish civil war

Military developments in the Spanish Civil War

By AlfonCruz

  • The uprising

    The uprising
    July 17: uprising starts in Morocco. The army of Africa is the most prepared.
    July 18: General Franco, declares a state of war and arrives in Morocco to take control of the troops. On mainland Spain, are controlled by the rebels.
    July 19: The uprising is defeated in Madrid and Barcelona. The African troops are airlifted. Hitler and Mussolini provide franco with planes.
    Objective Madrid. General Franco leads the african troops from the south and general Mola commands the army from the north.

  • The Battle for Madrid

    The Battle for Madrid
    Nationalist troops reach the capital. The government decides to evacuate Madrid and head to Valencia. International aid arrives in time and the Republicans resist. The Nationalists besiege Madrid for much of the war.

  • Siege of the Alcázar

    Siege of the Alcázar
    Nationalist victory in Toledo, On 28 September 1936, Franco turns his army south to Toledo where the Nationalist are resisting the Republican siege in the Alcázar. Franco´s troops win a symbolic victory. The battle for Madrid

  • The Northern front

    The Northern front
    From March to October 1937. The Gernika bombing helped the Nationalists gain a decisive victory in Bizcaia. In spite of the Republican offensive in Aragón to slow down the Nationalist advance, the strategic heavy industry and mining zones of Cantabria and Asturias are also taken.

  • The Battle of Teruel

    The Battle of Teruel
    From December 1937 to November 1938. It is one of the bitterest battles of the war. Nationalists gain a strategic victory that allows them to advance towards the Mediterranean. The Republican zone is now cut in two and Cataluña is isolated.

  • Battle of the Ebro

    Battle of the Ebro
    From July to November 1938. The Republican government launches an all-out campaign to reconnect their territory. it fails and Franco deploys mass forces to invade Cataluña. His troops enter Barcelona on 26 January, 1939.

  • Civil war within the Civil War

    Civil war within the Civil War
    A plot within the Republican Army causes the government in Valencia to fall. A National Council of Defence is formed to negotiate a peace deal. Franco only accepts an unconditional surrender. Juan Negrín, the president of the government, flees to France.

  • The end of the war

    The end of the war
    The Nationalists start a general offensive. On 28 March, they occupy Madrid and by 31 March, they control all spanish territory. The Republican forces surrender. Franco proclaims victory on 1 April.