La Cucaracha Spanish Civil War Diary April 1938

- April 1938 -

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Republican poster:"I am going to fight for your future"

The Fascists make some small, but very important, progresses. With Vinaroz in their hands they reach the Mediterranean, cutting the Republic in two and isolating Catalonia and Aragon. They can also strengthen their positions in Catalonia itself.

Leon Blum resigns as French Prime Minister, making place for Daladier, who will be fatal for Catalonia in closing the French border and holding back supplies for the Spanish Republic.

Another, maybe more important decision about the fate of the Spanish Republic is made in the USA. The US American people have a strong and growing affection to the Spanish Republic and its lonely struggle against European Fascism. President Roosevelt is willing to help, against the will of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, a stubborn, right winged Anti-Communist who helped to supply Franco with trucks (Ford, General Motors, Studebaker) and oil (Texaco). Cordell Hull is making every possible effort to stop the developing help of the US for the Spanish Republic and will succeed finally in it, dooming Spain for dictatorship and helping to put Europe (and later the US itself) on its trail to a great war.

*03 Apr Fasc. General Yague takes Lerida**
	General Yague and his Moroccan troops take Lerida, masses of fugitives from there and Aragon burst into Barcelona and it surrounding provinces.

Fascist troops in Lerida

*05 Apr New Negrin government without Prieto**
	After the resignation of Prieto, Negrin forms a new government including all parties and groups of the "Frente Popular" and the C.N.T.

*06 Apr Franco administration supresses autonomous statute of Catalonia**
	After the occupation of the first Catalonian villages, Franco supresses the autonomous statute

08 Apr *Leon Blum resigns in Paris, Daladier new Prime Minister of France

Daladier

Leon Blum, French Prime Minister and friend of the Spanish Republic, resigns after failing to form a government of a wide left winged coalition, making place to Daladier, a radical socialist who searches the "dialogue" with Hitler.
At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War Daladier supported Blum's attempt to provide military aid to the Popular Front government in Spain. However, after coming under pressure from Stanley Baldwin and Anthony Eden in Britain, and more right-wing members of the government, he changed his mind and began advocating a policy of strict neutrality.

*09 Apr Flight parade of Republican Air Force over Barcelona**
	Demonstration of power of the Republican Air Force over Barcelona. After the flight parade the planes are scattered again over the different air bases, leaving Barcelona mostly unprotected from the attacks of the Fascist aviation. The commanders and officers of the 'Guardia de Asalto' declare their readiness to volunteer to the fronts.

Republican poster: "today more then ever...victory!"

*09 Apr Leader of the Catalonian Catholic party, Manuel Carrasc i Formiguera, executed in Burgos by the Fascists**
	Being the representant of a democratic party is enough for the Franco administration to carry out the death sentence on Manuel Carrasc i Formiguera. The Vatican transmits a strengthless protest note to Franco.

*10 Apr Austrian poll organized by the German Nazis brings up 99,7% in favor of the "Anschluss"**
	The Nazi organized and controlled poll brings up a 99,7% of the Austrians welcome the occupation and wishes the affiliation to Hitler's German "Reich". The annexation of Austria by Germany is called "Anschluss". No opposition from UK or France.

*14 Apr 7th annual of proclamation of the second Spanish Republic**
	Under the sad circumstances of the war and the bad military process, the Republic celebrates the 7th anniversary of its foundation.

*15 Apr The Fascist troops reach the Mediterranean sea, cutting the Republic in two**
	Under the command of Camilo Alonso Vega the Fascists reach the Mediterranean at Vinaroz, cutting the Republic in two and separating Catalonia from Madrid and Valencia.

Fascist troops reach the
Mediterranean at Vinaroz

*15 Apr France closes the Spanish border again**
	In an attempt to please Hitler and Chamberlain, Daladier closes the border to Spain, cutting Catalonia off supply. Just a couple of days after the annexation of Austria by Hitler a fatal signal to the German dictator and his allies in Italy and Spain.

*16 Apr New Fascist air raids on Barcelona**
	With the closing of the border, France under Daladier made a clear political statement. The Italians resume their air raids on Barcelona.

*19 Apr Fascist General Yague looses his active command, Fascists take Tortosa**
	After speaking out in favor of "social peace" between the Spanish people, General Franco dismisses Yague of his command.

Fascist artillery shoots at Tortosa

20 Apr *Again air raids on Barcelona

25 Apr *First annual of the destruction of Guernica, exiled Basque President Aguirre gives a conference with national and international press in Barcelona

*29 Apr Buenaventura Durruti is honored "lieutenant colonel" of Republican Army**
	Buenaventura Durruti, famous Anarchist leader killed during the defense of Madrid in 1936, is honored after death in a ceremony with the title "lieutenant colonel" of the Spanish Republican Army.

The USA, President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull
quoted from an email, Spanish civil war veteran Carl Geiser wrote to the ALBA mailing list on Fri, 7 Dec 2001, see the complete letter here 'The Task my Generation (1936-1945) Faced' (opens in same window).

"[...] Polls taken [in the US] of the public showed 76% of those who had an opinion were in favor of supporting the Republic. The League of American Writers asked its members which side they were on. Supporting the Republic were 406, seven were on the fence and one supported Franco, Gertrude Atherton. [...]

President Roosevelt's cabinet decided to lift the ban on the Republic's obtaining military equipment to become effective May 1, 1938. Secretary of State Cordell Hull leaked the news to NY Times columnist, Walter Lippmann, Over a million cards, letters and telegrams came from Catholic sources opposing the proposed action. This would not have stopped FDR. Representatives from Catholic areas told FDR they would not be reelected if he removed the ban. FDR's majority for his programs in congress was thin, and he cancelled lifting the ban. [...]

A commission from the US delivers condensed milk
to the government of the Spanish Republic