Spanish Civil War Campaigns 1936–1937: Foreign Aid and Strategic Shifts

The Spanish Civil War: Key Campaigns of 1936–1937

Foreign Intervention and the Start of Conflict

Already in the Battle of Madrid, German tanks and Italian troops opposed the Soviets. Foreign aid began flowing from both sides, managed immediately after the conflict started.

The Role of the Condor Legion and Italian Forces

In mid-November [1936], the first contingent of the Legion Condor arrived. This German air command body quickly established Nationalist superiority in air combat. Large numbers of Italian troops also began arriving.

Soviet Aid and Naval Blockades

The Republican government received Soviet aid, which it had to pay for using the state's gold reserves. This contribution was always hampered by Italian ships or submarines that succeeded in blocking supply lines. Furthermore, the Maritime Committee of Non-Intervention, which attempted to avoid traffic, had problems controlling ships and Italian vessels. Only in 1938, due to international tension, was the French border temporarily reopened to allow war materiel to reach the government.

Major Battles of Early 1937

In February 1937, the Italian army, along with Spanish Nationalist forces, occupied Málaga. Franco then developed a new offensive on Madrid, attempting a surrounding movement through the north and east, but this was halted in the bloody Battle of Jarama. In March, Italian forces joined the offensive on Madrid but suffered a spectacular defeat at the Battle of Guadalajara.

Franco's Strategic Shift: Targeting the North

Following the failed attack on Madrid, Franco changed his strategy, accepting the idea of a long war. He concentrated his efforts against the Republican area of the North, which was isolated and in a poor situation. This situation was aggravated by:

• Lack of air protection.
• Subjection to a naval blockade.
• Lack of a single military command (which the Basque government resisted).
• Disorganization of political forces and unions.

The Bombing of Guernica and the Fall of Biscay

In April 1937, the bombing of the town of Guernica occurred. The air superiority of the Nationalists, despite the death of General Mola (likely referred to as "spring" in the original text) in an aviation accident, manifested itself with the occupation of Biscay.

Republican Counter-Offensives: Brunete and Aragón

To counter the Nationalist offensive in the North and relieve pressure on Madrid, the Republican army launched an offensive in July at Brunete, but it was halted. In August, another attack began on the Aragón front with a twofold purpose: to distract the Francoist troops (now under General Dávila, Mola's successor) in the North (who would occupy Santander that same month) and to reach Zaragoza.

The Fall of Northern Asturias

The battle for Aragón included the tough fighting at Belchite. The Republicans could not prevent Nationalist forces from conquering Northern Asturias, leading to the disappearance of the Republican northern industry.

The Battle of Teruel (Late 1937)

In late 1937, in order to cut off the new attack Franco was preparing on Madrid (due to the superiority of resources gained after the settlement of the Northern Front), the Popular Army launched an offensive further south in Aragón (the Battle of Teruel), managing to enter Teruel on December 22.