La Cucaracha Spanish Civil War Diary January 1939

- January 1939 -

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Winter campaign 1938 - 1939. All the rearguard to the frontlines.

After the long and brave resistance of the Republic against the Fascists, the break down of the Catalonia front comes surprisingly fast. The Republic is exhausted, while General Franco has plenty of support from Germany, Italy, Portugal and others. And this absolute superiority in war material is it now, what enables Franco to finish off Catalonia.

The more Conservative British newspapers, following Chamberlains Franco-friendly points of view, are expressing their relief about the soon to come and expected end of the civil war and therefore the end of the suffering for the Spanish people.

But these papers refuse to accept a bitter reality: The Fascists are murdering everyday more people behind their frontlines, then there are casualties on both sides on the front.

Taking this in account, Prime Minister Negrin's argument, that "continue to resist means to save life", is absolute correct.

(The end of the civil war, celebrated as the end of the suffering for the Spanish people by British newspapers, will cost 200.000 peoples life between 1939 and 1943, murdered by the Franco administration, and leave more than a million Spaniards exiled from their country).

01-Jan *Prime Minister Negrin begs USA for intervention in the war

During a radio speech, Negrin begs the USA for intervention in the Spanish civil war. The Ebro offensive of the Republican army, exhausting the military capacities of the Republic, was meant to demonstrate the will and moral to resist, the abilities to strike and, with sufficient supplies, to win the war. But the democratic nations are already busy with their own, still cautious, preparations for war. And the Franco-friendly forces in the USA, like the secretary of state and later Nobel Peace Price winner Cordel Hull, though a small minority, had enough influence to prevent official help for the Republic.

04-Jan *Parliamentarians and journalists from France visit Barcelona while the Fascist advance seems unstoppable

*05-Jan Republican army of the Center attacks in Extremadura again**
	In an effort to distract Fascist forces from Catalonia, the army of the center attacks in the Extremadura region.

06-Jan *Paul Casals, famous musician, announces the donation of 10.000 cans with condensed milk for the children in Barcelona

*13-Jan Tortosa falls to the Fascists**
	The important Catalonia city Tortosa is conquered by the Fascists, the rests of the Republican army of the Ebro, under command of Modesto, is not capable to present serious resistance.

*14-Jan Total mobilization for the Republican army in Catalonia**
	Every civilian between 17 and 55 years old, has to present himself for a medical check in the recruiting offices of the Republican army. Most civilian ignore this, the Republican army flees before the Fascists and the populations will to resist is broken, all hope lost.

15-Jan *Fascists occupy Tarragona, only a few hours driving from Barcelona

Fascist officers in Tarragona: General Bautista and General Asensio.

*18-Jan Emergency meeting of civilian representatives in Barcelona**
	Emergency meeting between the Spanish Prime Minister, The President of Catalonia and the President of the Spanish parliament.

*20-Jan Radio speech of Catalonian President Lluis Companys**
	Lluis Companys in his radio speech about the attacking Fascist forces: "In our enemies there is nothing Catalonian and nothing Spanish!"

*20-Jan New attacks in the Extremadura by Republican army of the center**
	The Republican army attacks in Monterrubio, Extremadura

22-Jan *Spanish government declares state of war for the whole Republic

Till now the state of war was not declared within the Republic, thus allowing civilian administration and jurisdiction to continue their work as much as possible. But all civil administration is breaking down under the masses of the fleeing population and armies. While in the center of Spain the Republican frontlines are stable and the situation seems under control, the situation in Catalonia is absolute chaotic.

*24-Jan The civil administrations flee from Barcelona**
	The Fascist troops are closing in, most civilians hide in their homes, not daring to walk the streets of the city.

*25-Jan Fascist troops occupy the hills on the west and south of Barcelona**
	Fascist troops occupy the hills on the west and south of Barcelona, they do not meet serious resistance.

Barcelona in the days shortly before occupation:

Running for shelter before an air raid.

Last good bye before leaving to the front or the French border.

Young couple in Barcelona.

*26-Jan Occupation of Barcelona**
	The Fascist troops under command of Yague occupy Barcelona without resistance. The last Republican soldiers and representatives just left the city shortly before.

*27-Jan Fascist troops parade in Barcelona**
	To show their strength and celebrate their victory, Fascists troops parade through the streets of Barcelona.

Fascist parade in Barcelona. Civilians are only allowed on the balconies, all people on the streets are Fascist troopers.

Fascists celebrating their victory over the Spanish government in Barcelona.
The Fascist troops murder around 10.000 people in Barcelona during the first
days after occupying the city. Another 25.000 people are murdered by them in
the following weeks.

*27-Jan France opens it borders for the refugees from Catalonia**
	Thousands of civilians, fleeing the Fascist armies, were waiting at the closed French border. More than 170.000 people pass the border today, after it is opened by the French authorities.

Refugees on their way to the French border	French border, Les Perthus. Crowded refugees waiting to enter France.
French officials before the opening of the border for refugees from Spain.

28-Jan *More than half a million civilians fleeing to French border

The rests of the Republican army, together with more than half a million civilians, are fleeing to the French border. The attempt of the government, to mount a stable front closer to the Pyrenees fails, the front is first pierced and then overrun by Fascist troops.

The foreign volunteers and former International Brigades from countries under Fascist control, who were still waiting in Catalonia for an International agreement regarding the countries who would take them in, are reintegrated in the International Brigades, their units reformed. The biggest contingent are German antifascists, who, together with the rest of the International Brigades and some units under Communist command, are covering the retreat and slowing down the Fascist advance. These Republican units take an immense personal risk and suffer tremendous losses.

The Fascist aviation is bombing without mercy the overcrowded roads and villages on the way to the French border, a handful of Republican planes opposing them in heroic resistance.

The Republican 35th division, including the International
Brigades, crossing the Rio Ter on their retreat.