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Republican Cavalry

- September 1936 - 

The Fascists advance rapidly on their way to Madrid, even though they are slowed down by the reorganized resistance of Republican militias. The biggest military success for the Fascists is the fall of Irun in the north. They are able to isolate the Basque country from the French border and the rest of the Republican ground. The politic of Non-Intervention, a complete embargo initiated by the conservative British government under Prime Minster Baldwin, start to affect the Republic. The Fascist insurgents are not affected by this, contrary, they become "unofficial" help from British and Americans officials in the area. The Texas Oil Company (TEXACO, now DEA) is supplying the Spanish Fascists with oil and gasoline on credit, and Portugal, a "neutral" country, has his borders wide open for supply into the Fascist controlled zone.

 

03 Sep *Captain Alberto Bayo has been forced to retreat from Mallorca today
The Republican forces under Captain Alberto Bayo retreated today from Mallorca. After establishing a small base on the shore of Mallorca two weeks ago, the Republican troops could not make it to the inner area of the island. Under permanent attack by enemy land - and air forces the retreat was more a flight, leaving behind many men, weapons and valuable material.
04 Sep *Prime Minister Francicso Largo Caballero present new government
The government is formed by 6 Socialists, 4 Republicans, 2 Communists, 1 Catalan Republican and 1 Basque Nationalist.


The new government under Prime Minister Largo Caballero

05 Sep *Irun, in Basque country, taken by the Fascists
 

After heavy fighting's, the Basque city Irun is taken by the Fascists. Anarchist militias, defending the city, destroy most of the government buildings with dynamite, to prevent their use by the Fascists.
The Fascists control now a big, nowhere interrupted, part of Spain. Basque country is separated from the rest of the Republic, cut off eventually supply lines over the French border. The seaside of the Basque country is already blocked by warships of the "Non Intervention" states.

After the successful attack on a hill, Fascists are taking the Basque defenders as prisoners.

After the fall of Irun, the Fascists organize a march past in the city. While many try to point out that the Fascists where "only" Nationalists or Patriots, on this picture it is clearly visible that both, soldiers and spectators, are giving the fascist salute.

Basque militia on an counter attack in the area of Irun.
09 Sep *First official meeting of the Non-Intervention committee in London
 

23 countries assisted today in the first official meeting of the so called "Non-Intervention" committee in London. The psychological effect on the Spanish people is horrible. Instead of helping the legally elected democratic government, the democratic nations turn away, in favor of the Insurgents.

"One country alone reacted without fear, and with great generosity, towards the plight of the Spanish republic. Mexico supported fully and publicly the claim of the Madrid government [...] Mexico refused to follow the French-British Non-Intervention proposals, recognizing immediately the great advantage they offered the Insurgents. Contrary to the United States, Mexico did not feel that neutrality between an elected government and a military junta was a proper policy.[...] Mexico's attitude gave immense moral comfort to the Republic, especially since the major South American governments - those of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru - sympathized more ore less openly with the Insurgents. But Mexican aid could mean relatively little in practical terms if the French border were closed and if the dictators remained free to supply the Insurgents with a quality and quantity of weapons far beyond the power of Mexico."
Gabriel Jackson, "The Spanish Republic and the Civil War, 1931-1939", Princeton Paperbacks, ISBN 0-691-00757-8
09 Sep Lt. Colonel Vicente Rojo tries to release the hostages held by Fascist Insurgents in the Alcazar of Toledo
  Under the leadership of Colonel Moscardo and after three days of street battles against forces loyal to the government, about 1000 Civil and Assault Guards, Falangists (comparable to the German S.A.), and a handful of infantry cadets, had to retread into the Alcazar, a stone fortress set on high ground overlooking the Tagus River and the city of Toledo, on July 21. They took with them a few hundred women an children as hostages, most of them families of well known leftists. They also took with them their own families. Since then they are under besiege by loyal troops.
Today Lt. Colonel Vicente Rojo entered the fort under a flag of truce to try to obtain its surrender, and failing that, the release of the hostages. Colonel Moscardo refuses both proposals (tcc: the hostages were killed already, see 27 Sep)


Fire-Traces in Toledo
To the left: Militias take cover behind a tank, Toledo.

13 Sep *San Sebastian taken by the Fascists
  Basque city San Sebastian was taken today by the Fascists. They advance now in direction to the Basque capital city, Bilbao.
13 Sep *The government agree to send part of the national gold reserves to the Soviet Union
  The gold is send as security for future buying of war material from the Soviet Union.
14 Sep *The Pope condems the Republican Government for their "satanic hate against God"
  The Catholic Church in Spain was never unpolitical, the Spanish Church supports openly the Fascists, as do the Pope in Rome, except of the Basque Catholic Church.
19 Sep *The Fascists take the island of Ibiza
24 Sep *Franco postpone the advance to Madrid in favor to aid the Insurgents in the Alcazar of Toledo
  The besiege of the Alcazar has meanwhile an immense importance for both sides. It became the symbol of the Civil War. Against the recommendation of his German advisors Franco decides to end the siege of the Alcazar.
26 Sep *New government in Catalonia, with participation of P.O.U.M. and C.N.T./F.A.I
  The new Catalan government (Generalitat de Catalunya) includes now the groups who gained power resisting the military rebellion. The Socialist P.O.U.M. and the Anarchist C.N.T./F.A.I. send ministers.
26 Sep *The Fascist troops reached Toledo
  The Fascists, under command of General Varela, are camping across the river from the Alcazar. The majority of the demoralized Militia is retreating already in direction to Madrid.
27 Sep *Toledo falls to the Fascists

Alcazar de Toledo		 Some hundred militia man tried to stop the Fascist advance into the city and were all killed by Foreign Legion and Moroccan mercenaries, the "Moros". Around 40 Anarchist running out of ammunition, set fire to the building they were defending and burned alive before becoming prisoners. The Fascists murder the doctor and the nurses in the hospital of Toledo, the unarmed and wounded militias were killed in their beds.
The hostages taken by Fascist Colonel Moscardo were killed in the beginning of the siege, what explains why Moscardo refused to handle them over on the 9th of September.
28 Sep *Non-Intervention committee refuses to hear charges against Portugal
  The Non-Intervention committee refuses to hear charges against Portugal for his open support of the Insurgents and the clear ignorance of the blockade.
29 Sep *The Fascist junta in Burgos declare Franco "Generalissimo"
  Franco declared as absolute leader of the military rebellion, now called a "National Crusade" to save Spain. This declaration make him the de facto dictator over the Fascist controlled zone.

 

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