Key Military Campaigns of the Spanish Civil War

Military Campaigns of the Spanish Civil War

The Battle for Madrid (July 1936)

After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in July 1936, African troops under Franco's command aimed to capture Madrid, the symbol of Republican power. Subsequently, insurgent troops led by Colonel Yagüe took Badajoz (Extremadura), establishing a crucial link with Northern forces commanded by General Mola. By September, Franco, leading the army south of Toledo, was halted at the gates of Madrid. Despite direct attacks by the insurgent army, the capital resisted. Franco then decided to encircle the city, leading to two significant battles. The last of these, the Battle of Guadalajara, was won by the Republicans, after which Franco's army decided to withdraw and move north.

Occupation of the Northern Front (1937)

Franco's army then advanced north, where the Republicans ('Reds') controlled a strip of territory in Asturias, Cantabria, and Vizcaya, isolated from the rest of the Peninsula. The rebels conquered Navarre, Álava, and San Sebastián but initially failed to secure the Basque Country, which was valuable for its mineral, industrial, and steel resources. During 1937, insurgents commanded by Mola attacked Vizcaya and, by direct order of Franco, Nazi aviation bombed the Basque town of Guernica. This marked the first aerial bombardment against a defenseless civilian population in history. For a time, the insurgents were stalled, and the Republicans regained some ground in the Northern Territory. However, Franco's troops eventually entered Asturias and Santander. Many people, facing defeat, fled to areas still held by Republican groups (the southeastern part of Catalonia and the central area of the peninsula).

Advance to the Mediterranean (Late 1937 - Early 1938)

By the end of 1937, Republicans attempted to reform their army, placing General Vicente Rojo, the defender of Madrid, in command. The insurgent army, having advanced north, then moved east towards the Mediterranean. The Republican Army launched several offensives in Teruel, and the rebels managed to occupy this territory. However, in February 1938, Franco's army reoccupied Teruel and later captured other key areas like Ulldecona and Vinaròs. This advance effectively isolated a large part of Catalonia from the rest of the Republican zone.

The Campaign in Catalonia (1938)

In a final desperate effort, Republican troops reorganized their units, many of which came from Catalonia, and launched a powerful offensive on the Ebro River. The Republicans' only hope was to regain lost territory. They strongly attacked important territories in that area, but Franco's army, aided by German and Italian aircraft, occupied the south of Tarragona and pushed across the Ebro. By November 16, 1938, the battle was considered finished. On December 23, Franco decided to occupy the whole of Catalonia, leading to thousands of fugitives fleeing to the French border.

The End of the War (1939)

In early 1939, the only area remaining in Republican hands was the Centre, which included Madrid, La Mancha, and a small amount of additional territory. At the beginning of March, an uprising occurred in Madrid. On March 28, Franco's troops entered Madrid without resistance, having forced the Republicans to surrender unconditionally. On April 1, Franco signed the final war communiqué in Madrid, announcing the defeat of the Republican army and the end of the conflict.