Spanish Civil War: Initial Stages and Madrid’s Defense
Development of the War
In the race’s development, we can distinguish the following stages:
Stage 1: War Columns
From late July to early November, the war entered a phase of column movements, establishing a front between the two areas. This was the war’s basis until November 1936.
The columns, composed of military units, law enforcement, and volunteers with limited weapons, advanced on foot or were transported by road in trucks. On the Republican side, columns occupied Alcalá de Henares and Guadalajara, leaving Madrid. General José Miaja reached the gates of Córdoba. From Catalonia, militia columns advanced into Aragon but failed to capture the three regional capitals. An expedition from Catalonia to Mallorca failed due to Italian support for the rebels on the island.
The Revolt in the territory faced difficulties, including resource scarcity in the north. Mola focused on advancing towards Madrid, while Franco secured Italian and German aid to transport the Army of Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar. African troops in Andalusia joined Generals Gonzalo Queipo de Llano and José Varela. Due to ineffective and poorly armed militias, anarchists occupied Huelva and the Guadalquivir valley, establishing communication with Granada. This secured much of Andalusia, and the march towards Madrid began, with Mola’s troops also advancing from the north.
With the rebels’ approach, the Republican government moved to Valencia. The initial attempt to take Madrid failed. The slogan “They shall not pass,” launched by La Pasionaria (the first female communist leader), spread among Republicans. Franco decided to divert efforts to liberate Toledo.
Stage 2: The Battle over Madrid 1936-1937
In early August, the march to Madrid began. Mola developed a plan to take Madrid, moving from the north while Franco advanced from the south with troops from Morocco. Badajoz was reached in mid-August. Uniting with the northern army, they crossed the Tagus front and occupied Talavera de la Reina. Franco entered Toledo to liberate the besieged Alcázar, commanded by Colonel Moscardó. Toledo’s liberation became a propaganda asset for the Nationalists.
After occupying Toledo, the rebels reached Madrid’s outskirts in early November. They faced better-equipped troops with Soviet military equipment. The frontal assault on the capital was from the west, with aerial bombardment by forces including the Condor Legion. The attackers were halted after occupying the university campus. Republican generals, led by José Miaja, organized a successful defense around the capital, with the cooperation of party militias, newly created military units, International Brigades, and aircraft acquired from the Soviet Union.
After the direct assault failed, Franco attempted to encircle the city. From January to May 1937, he directed offensives in the northwest, south, and northeast of Madrid, resulting in the battles of the road to La Coruña, the Jarama River, and Guadalajara, which were defensive successes for the Republic.
- The Battle of Jarama (February-March 1937): Franco aimed to encircle Madrid by crossing the Jarama River and cutting the Madrid-Valencia road. However, strong Republican resistance and support from the International Brigades led to the offensive’s failure.
- The Battle of Guadalajara: Led by the Italian Corpo di Truppe Volontarie (CTV), sent by Mussolini, this offensive aimed to encircle Madrid from the north and take Guadalajara. Despite initial success, a Republican counteroffensive routed the Italian troops.
Following these events, Franco changed his strategy, accepting a long war and focusing on the Republican North.