La Cucaracha Spanish Civil War Diary May 1938

- May 1938 -

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The heavy bombardments on Spanish cities is not failing his impact on the economic abilities of the Republic as well as on the moral in the rearguard. Everything is missing: war material like ammunition, guns and war planes, but also everything for the daily needs like food and medicamentation.

Politically the situation became a lot worse since Daladier is prime minister of France. First he closes the border, then he seeks together with Chamberlain to maintain peace with Hitler at every cost.

Writers, actors and artist all over the world raise solidarity campaigns in favor of the Spanish Republic, collecting money for food, ambulances and medicine.

04 May *Vatican recognizes officially Franco regime

12 May *Portugal's dictator Salazar recognizes officially Franco regime

*12 May Air raid on Barcelona, 50 people dead**
	One of the numerous air raids not aimed at military targets, under which the Spanish people have to suffer, takes place in Barcelona, killing 50 and wounding a large number of citizens.

*14 May Andre Malraux visits Barcelona**
	While the new French prime minister Daladier is unwilling to help Spain, Andre Malraux is visiting Barcelona to show his support and solidarity for the suffering city. He brings seven millions French franc with him, collected in France for the Spanish government.

*14 May Air raid on Barcelona port, British mercantile ship hit**
	The British mercantile ship Euphorbia is hit by an air bomb causing some damage and wounding the captain of the ship and his first officer.

20 May *All names not based on the names of catholic saints prohibited in Fascist zone

23 May *Commando unit of Republican army rescue 300 prisoners

"News from the front at Motril tells of an amazing coup carried out an Monday, May 23, behind the enemy lines by which the Republicans succeeded in rescuing 308 Asturian prisoners who were being forced to build fortifications for the fascists. One section of the Republicans landed at a small beach behind the fascist front-line positions and attacked the fortress of Corchuna. Another group joined them on land and took part in the capture of the fort. On the approach of the attackers the Fascist garrison surrender, after their officers had been shot. The entire force then attacked the fascist front-line from behind and, after freeing the 308 Asturian prisoners, crossed again into Loyalist territory."
From"El Voluntario de la Libertad", 15th June 1938

*27 May 17 death sentences carried out in the prison of Montjuic, Barcelona**
	17 death sentences were carried out this morning in the cellar of the castle of Montjuic, the state prison in Barcelona.

*28 May 8 German Junkers bombers drop around 80 heavy air bombs on the port area of Barcelona**
	Legion Condor airplanes joining the Italian troops in bombing the capital city of Catalonia. The Republic is not able to keep enough of their own planes away from the front lines to protect their big cities.

Air bombs falling on the port of Barcelona

*31 May Disastrous air raid on Granollers, more than 200 dead and over 450 wounded**
	Granollers, a small city next to Barcelona, suffers a disastrous air raid by the Fascists, killing a large amount of people and wounding over 450. The hospitals all around and in Barcelona are attending as they can, but there are not much capacities, doctors and medicamentation for such treatments in the rearguard.

*31 May Franco visits Fascist troops in Vinaroz**
	The Fascist troops in Vinaroz are in a very bad mood after their General, Juan Yague, was removed by Franco from his command. Therefore General Franco visits the city to calm the soldiers down.