Key Military Campaigns of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1937)

The Spanish Civil War: Early Military Operations (1936-1937)

Phase One: The Advance and the "War Columns" (July - Nov 1936)

Military operations began the week following the uprising, giving rise to a phase of the Civil War (GC) called the "War Columns." This period elapsed between the onset of operations and the failure of the rebels in their attempt to take Madrid in early November 1936.

After crossing the Strait, the African troops (commanded by Yagüe) managed to link up with the rebel zone in the north, after eliminating the resistance in Badajoz in September. In late September, Franco took Toledo. By October, the conquest of the capital seemed imminent.

The Defense of Madrid

Due to the imminent threat, general mobilization was ordered on October 29th to save Madrid. Thousands of men and women fortified the entrances and the inside of the city. On November 6th, the Republican government moved to Valencia. Despite continuous aerial attacks, Madrid resisted from November 1936 to January 1937, thanks largely to the International Brigades. The heroic resistance of Madrid completed the phase of the war known as the "Columns" or the "Militia Phase."

Phase Two: Army Adjustment and Failed Maneuvers (Late 1936 - Early 1937)

The second phase was characterized by the adjustment of both armies, especially the Republican side, with the creation of the New People's Army of the Republic. Franco also militarized his volunteer bodies.

Following the failed attempt to enter Madrid, the rebels undertook two maneuvers, especially focusing on isolating Valencia. This led to key battles:

• The Battle of Jarama (February 1937): This battle was inconclusive, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.
• The Battle of Guadalajara (March 1937): Italian troops supporting Franco were defeated by the Popular Army of the Republic.

The Northern Campaign: The Cantabrian Strip (April - October 1937)

Franco decided to abandon the direct attack on Madrid and moved the fight to the Cantabrian strip. The main fighting took place between April and October 1937. The battle fronts moved from East to West:

1. Guipúzcoa
2. Vizcaya
3. Santander
4. Asturias

The Bombing of Guernica

The rebels launched an attack on Biscay in the last days of March. On April 26th, Guernica was destroyed by aircraft under Franco's command. This is considered the first aerial bombardment in history targeting a civilian population.

Bilbao was occupied in June. The Republic failed to prevent Franco's troops from entering Santander first and then Asturias (October 1937), thus further weakening the position of the Republic. Additionally, thousands of people fled from these areas towards regions still in the hands of the Republic, particularly Catalonia.