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The all out war starts in November 1936 after the russian armament arrive the front. The Republic start to strike back, even though she cannot come out of the defensive position.
Everybody expects the fall of Madrid...
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 Fascist Bombers |
 Madrid, 1936 |
 Madrid, 1936 |
| 04 Nov *The Fascists take the suburb Getafe | |
| After a heavy attack
with Moorish cavalry, tanks and airplanes the defenders are completely defeated,
wounded are walking without orientation over the battle field, the organization
of the defense in this point breaks down. Fascist General Varela tells foreign journalists in a press conference:"You can tell the world, Madrid will fall within one week. General Mola plans the attack route: over the "Casa de Campo" and the practically unpopulated university quarter to avoid heavy losses in a fierce street fight if he had to enter through the south suburbs, traditionally strong populated districts of the working class. |
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| 05 Nov *The Republican airforce can force today for the first time the attacking bomber airplanes and their escort to break up the attack on Madrid before they even reach the city. |
| 06 Nov *Government moves to Valencia in the south of Spain | |
| Expecting the fall of Madrid, the government moves to Valencia, General Miaja is named commanding officer of the Madrid defense front. Undoubtly the government wished upon him the surrendering of the city. Thousands of citizens flee out of the city over the only open street, in the east of Madrid. The city is close to a panic. | |
The "wonder" of Madrid
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The Republican Generals, General Miaja and General Asensio, Under-Secretary of War, open at 7p.m., after the government had already left the city, two envelopes adressed to them from the government with scaled orders. The envelopes are not to be open till dawn of the next day, but they decide to read them immediately, whereupon they discover that each had been handed the other's assignment. |
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| At an all-night
meeting in his office, Miaja organize what everybody considered then to
be a suicidal stand. Lieutenant Colonel Vicente Rojo and Major Matallana
Gomez organize over night the communications, the supplies and the chain
of commands for the defense. General Miaja tells the several dozens assembled
officers that most of them will probably die, and the officers later report
the same to their troops. The sole general order was to resist all along
the front, and not to retreat one inch. In a matter of hours General Miaja
changes the psychological situation completely. Before the defenders were
without spirit, left alone by the government and without any reasonable
hope to withstand the attack, now they are filled with the grim will to
resist. Citizens of all kinds, even children, are lining up on the front
to support the militias and soldiers. First they bring water, food and blankets,
but later, when the attack starts, many of them will stay in the fire, waiting
that a militiamen or soldier dies, jump into the trenches, taking the soldiers
weapon and place, and starting to fight. The military backbone of this last resistance was the Communist party and the "fifth regiment" (qiunto regimento), the communist militia, well trained and highly motivated. |
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To the left: General Miaja (sitting before the standing man) forms immediately a "Junta of Defense" with the progressive forces in the city. |
"No Pasaran"
 Outskirts of Madrid 1936 |
| 08 Nov *Massacre in Paracuellos del Jarama | |
| Around 1000 mostly political prisoners were massacred by their Republican Militia guards today in Paracuellos del Jarama. The prisoners, most of them accused Fascists, were to be evacuated from Madrid to prevent their liberation by Fascist troops. Their Guards decide to join the defense of Madrid, killed all of the prisoners and returned to Madrid. | |
| 10 Nov *Frontline in Madrid established, the university quarter back under Republican control. |
 Republican Army, University Quarter 1936 |
| 20 Nov *Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera executed in Alicante | |
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Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera,
leader of the Fascist organization "Falange", is executed in
the prison of Alicante after a public trial, where he was condemned to
death. The execution is carried out by the new Communist civil governor
of Alicante without awaiting the confirmation of sentence by the government.
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| 23 Nov *Franco suspend the attack on Madrid | |
| After 2 weeks Franco has to give up his plans of taking the city. He is preparing now himself and his allies for a long and expensive war. | |
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Images
of the Republican Defense of Madrid. Many Citizens, women alike men and
even children, defended the city together with the remaining Republican
Forces against the well trained and powerfull Fascist Armies
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