La Cucaracha Spanish Civil War Diary November 1938

- November 1938 -

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The youth in arms defend culture.

The political gap in the Republic between the central regions and Catalonia become obvious. While in Catalonia the influence of the Communist party is overwhelming, the Communist are no significant power from Madrid to Valencia. Julian Besteiro, a important moderate socialist from Madrid, visiting the government and the Generalitat in Barcelona, is angry about the "illegal" power and influence of the Communists.

Prime Minister Juan Negrin is maintaining a course of submission to the Soviet Union and the Communist party, the only important source of armament and military supplies for the Republic.

In addition to the military supplies, the Spanish Communists are now, after years of war, isolation, suffering and frustration, the only ones still full of will to resist, to fight the Fascists under any costs.

But the only hope for the Republic, so it seems, is the outbreak of the expected European war, or that Britain and France might help. Winston Churchill changed his mind already, declaring himself now favorable to the Republic, and the French military attaché tries without success to convince his government and the high command of the French army to intervene directly in Spain.

*01 Nov POUM trial ends**
	Contrary to the demands of the Communist Party, who wished death penalty on the former POUM leaders, 5 are sentenced to prison, the others are set free.

*01 Nov Father Salvador de Hijar holds a conference about "Religion and the Republic" in Barcelona**
	Father Salvador de Hijar comes to the conclusion "that neither the Republic nor the Spanish people attacked the church in initiative, but that the church agitated and rose up against the state".

*06 Nov Republican offensive near Fraga, Rio Segre**
	In an effort to divert the Fascists from Mora de Ebro, the Republican army launch an offensive near Fraga, Rio Segre. Mortars and machine guns have to do the work of artillery and aviation.

*07 Nov The Republican Ebro front starts to break**
	Under the enormous pressure of the Fascist army, the Republican front start to break. The Fascists take Mora de Ebro

*08 Nov Franco: New declaration**
	There will be no political amnesties and severe punishment for those who opposed him.

*09 Nov "Kristallnacht" in Germany**
	http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/knacht.html http://www.ushmm.org/kristallnacht/frame.htm

11 Nov *La venta de Camposines falls to the Fascists (Ebro Front)

*13 Nov Julian Besteiro, moderate socialist leader from Madrid, visits the government in Barcelona**
	Besteiro is struck and angry by the influence and sheer absolute power of the Communist Party in Catalonia. Coming from Madrid and the center of Spain, were the Communists are only one party among others, military and police are strictly "classic Republican" and follow the laws and the constitution, he can hardly believe his eyes.

*15 Nov Last farewell parade of International Brigades**
	Prime Minister Dr. Negrin and President Azana attend to the last farewell parade of International Brigades in Barcelona.

*16 Nov Ebro front breaks, Republican troops in full retreat**
	The new armament from Germany and Italy turns decisively. Franco has total air and armament superiority. The amount of artillery guns used by the Fascists is outstanding, including unlimited ammunition, supply, gunners and technical personnel from their allies. The Republican army retreats under very difficult conditions and heavy losses, but without panic.

*22 Nov Food supplied to Catalonia from the US**
	Quaker organizations donate food to the Catalonian government. The US government takes care of the shipments.

*24 Nov US merchant Erica Reed brings 8.000 tons of food to Barcelona**
	Many US citizens donate money and food to help the Republic, shaken by Hemingway's reports and the daily pictures from the war.