SCW62 Advance on Euzkadi
Monte Gorbea, Basque Provinces, March 31, 1937.
As 35 batteries of artillery commenced fire, Nationalist troops of the Army
of the North advanced from Navarre under a screen of air cover provided
by 50 bombers. Flanked by two Italian divisions, the Navarese 61st Divsion
assaulted the fortefied mountains of Albertia, Maroto, Jacinto, and Gorbea.
As planes bombed and strafed the poorly camoflauged Basque positions, Carlist
requetés, screaming their battlecry "Viva Cristo Rey!"
charged the enemy trenches.
Aftermath: Following the bombing and artillery barrage, the Navarrese
assault captured all four mountains from the overwhelmed Basques. However,
at Mt. Gorbea the outnumbered Nationalists were pushed back from the summit
by a fierce Basque counterattack. The Basques were able to hold the mountain
for eight more weeks, helping to secure their flank as Nationalist forces
overran their lines elsewhere. Other than for this small victory, the Nationalist
army had achieved an almost total breakthrough.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the Tercio de la Virgen Blanca, 4ª Brigada
de Navarra, 61. a División de Navarra, requetés (4-4-7's),
air support, artillery inc 88mm.
Republican: Elements of the Ejército de Euzkadi, Basque gudaris.
Terrain: mountain.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. Historia Militar de la Guerra de España, Vol. 2, Manuel
Aznar, pp. 134-136.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, pp. 164-165.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p 517.
4. Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, ed. James
Cortada, p. 19.
A Russian ship, the A. Andreu, had arrived, delivering two squadrons
of Chato fighters, 30 T-26 tanks and Renalts, and 14 Russian armoured cars
with 37mm cannon. (Beevor, p. 163)
Basques still lacked effective air cover and had not camoflauged their defenses,
not considering air power.
SCW63 Clash At Ochandiano
Ochandiano, Basque Provinces, April 4, 1937. Navareese troops advancing
down from the captured Basque positions on mounts Albertia and Jacinto on
March 31st entered the town of Ochandiano. There, in the suburbs of the
town, they met fierce resistence from the Basque militia, the gudaris,
fighting to maintain their lines. The Basques refused to yield before the
fierce Carlist attacks and despite heavy bombing, the fighting went on for
days.
Aftermath: Bombed continuously everyday by 40-50 planes, the Basques
held on until the Navarvese had all but surrounded the town. Afraid of being
trapped, the Basques withdrew, leaving their dead and some wounded behind.
The Nationalists had punched a hole in the Basque lines and he noose around
the Basques was tightening.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 61. a División de Navarra, requetés
(4-4-7's), air support.
Republicans: Elements of the Ejército de Euzkadi (4-4-7's).
Terrain: town, rain.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 517-518.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, pp. 164-165.
SCW64 With Friends Like That
Elgeta, Basque Provinces, April 20, 1937. The Nationalist northern offensive
had resumed and everywhere Basque soldiers retreated before the fierce Carlist
requetés. However, in the hills around the village of Elgeta,
the Basques, led by an able officer, were determined to make a stand.
Aftermath: The Basques, under Major Beldarrán, had dug good
trenches and they held their lines repulsing the Carlists attacking them.
But later, when two Basque C.N.T. battalions abandoned their positions for
political reasons, the front collapsed. After holding out for four days,
Major Beldarrán and his troops had to give up their positions and
retreat to Bilbao.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 61. a División de Navarra, requetés
(4-4-7's), machine guns, air support.
Republican: Elements of the Ejército de Euzkadi, gudaris (3-4-7's),
trenches.
Terrain: hills.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 535-536.
SCW65 Guernica
Guernica, Basque Provinces, April 30, 1937. After the ancient Basque
town of Guernica was purposely destroyed by a savage Condor Legion Raid,
the Nationalists were easily able to capture it but advance beyond the town
proved impossible as Basques fought a desperate rear guard action.
Aftermath: Aeriel attacks against the Basque positions failed to
rout the defenders, who, lacking their own aircover, simply ignored the
planes as best they could. Despite being led by an incompetant officer,
Colonel Yatz, a communist organized battalion fought a heroic rear guard
action against the advancing Carlists and stemmed the Nationalist tide,
for a time.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 61. a División de Navarra, requetés
(4-4-7's).
Republican: Elements of the Batallón Rosa-Luxembourg (3-4-7's), 6+1
leader.
Terrain:
SSR:.
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 167.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 540.
SCW66 Flight of the Arrow
Bermeo, Basque Provinces, May 1, 1937. Quickly advancing Italians of
the Black Arrows Division were nearing the Basque capital of Bilbao. It
had been a gruelling campaign but the will of the Basques seemed broken
and everywhere the Basques were in retreat. Unknown to the Italians, the
Basques will to fight had not done yet and a Basque battalion was waiting
them to take them on at the seaside town of Bermeo.
Aftermath: The Italians had captured the town, but were ambushed
by the Basques with only one battalion. The Basques held against the the
Italian attacks and pushed them back down the coast road, routing part of
the division and surrounding the rest in the town. The besieged Italians
were unable to break out and, though outnumbering their attackers, had to
call over the radio to a Navarrese brigade for help.
Suggestion of Forces:
Italian: Elements of the "Penne Nere" Divisione (3-4-7's), fiat-ansaldos.
Republican: Elements of the 8th U.G.T. Battalion, Ejército de Euzkadi
(4-4-7's).
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 540.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 167.
The U.G.T. were a socialist trade union organization (Unión General
de Trabajadores).
The Italians were eventually rescued by the Navarrese brigade.
SCW67 Defiance
Santa María de la Cabeza, Spain, May 1, 1937. In a mountain top
sancturay deep in Republican territory, several hundred guardia civil,
falangists, right wing sympathizers and their famillies had held out against
a besieging militia force of 10,000 for nine months, communicating with
Nationalist Spain via carrier pigeon. Supplies from Nationalist Córdoba
and Seville were dropped from aeroplanes and delicate medical supplies were
attached to turkeys, which flapped their safely to the ground. However,
Republican command decided that this Nationalist island within their territory
needed to be eliminated. Accordingly, regular army units arrived and the
assault began.
Aftermath: Eventually surrounded by a force of 20,000 troops, the
Nationalists stubbornly held out until, following a barrage of aircraft
and artillery, International Brigade troops and militia from Jaen broke
through and slaughtered the defenders. The survivors were rounded up and
taken prisoner. But their brave stand in the face of such tremendous odds
won praise from Spaniards on both sides.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Guardia Civil (4-5-7's), falange (3-4-7's) and armed civilians
(3-3-6's).
Republicans: Milicianos de Jaen (4-4-7's), artillery, air support.
Terrain: Mountain, buildings, rain.
SSR:
1. Nationalist forces are fanatic.
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 540-542.
2. The Battle For Madrid, George Hills, p. 139.
3. Italian Intervention in the Spanish Civil War, John Coverdale, p. 519.
4. Historia Militar de la Guerra de España. vol I, Manuel
Aznar, pp. 418-427.
Nationalist: 245 Civil Guard, 30 armed forces, 840 civilians of which 100
were of military age.
SCW68 Back At The City
Madrid, Spain, May 10, 1937. "The 6th Bandera withstood assault
after assault by tanks and infantry upon its positions at the Toledo bridgehead,
sustaining 475 casualties (more than two-thirds) in two days."
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 6. a Bandera de Tercio de Extranjeros.
Notes:
1. The Spanish Foreign Legion, John Scurr, p. 35.
SCW69 Hold That Line
Bilbao, Basque Provinces, May 22, 1937. Basque troops were falling back
on the Ring of Iron, the defense perimeter which surrounded the capital
of Bilbao. The Basques were relying on this line to hold the Nationalists
at bay while they were supplied from the sea. Undaunted, the 61st Navarrese
Divsion pushed forward, backed by tanks and artillery, intending to take
the capital of the Basque provinces.
Aftermath: The Carlists were at last able to make contact with the
Ring of Iron, but only after hard fighting as the tired Basques, fighting
for their home ground, only grudgingly gave way. Bilbao was only a few kilometers
away and the Basques waited in their trenches for the next attack.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 4. a Brigada, 61. a División de Navarra,
requetés (4-4-7's), Panzer 1's, air support, artillery.
Republican: gudaris, foxholes, renault tanks.
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Condtions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 168.
SCW70 Bitter Balsain
Balsain, Spain, June 2, 1937. To help relieve pressure on the Basques,
the Republican command approved of two limited offensives designed to draw
Nationalist reserves away from the north. The 35th division, including the
XIVth International Brigade, was assigned the directive to capture the villages
of Cabeza Grande, Matabuye, Balsain and the town of La Granja. At dawn,
on May 30th, the attack was launched.
Aftermath: Republican units broke through the Nationalist positions
at San Ildefonso, but the Spanish 69th brigade was the only unit able to
take its objective of Cabeza Grande. The 31st was able only to enter the
outskirts of La Granja while the XIVth International bogged down in three
days of heavy fighting unable to make headway. Finally the offensive was
called off after the XIVth had taken heavy casualties in futile frontal
attacks.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the (?)71. a Division
Republican: Elements of the Franco-Belgian Bataillon Commune de Paris, XIV.
a Brigada Internacional (4-4-7's), artillery, air support, commisars, T-26
tanks.
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, pp. 114-115.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 569.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 195.
SCW71 The Ring of Iron
Bilbao, Basque Provinces, June 12, 1937. Due to a defection by a Basque
engineer who had helped construct the Ring of Iron, the Nationalists concentrated
their assault on a point where the defenses had not been completed. After
a bombardment by 45 artillery batteries, advancing tanks and troops assaulted
the Basque perimeter at a point where few defenses had been prepared, their
advance slow, as the Basques yielded only grudgingly.
Aftermath: After a days fighting, the Navarrese 5th Brigade had broken
the Basque line. Disorganized troops abandoned their positions and fell
back behind the Ring of Iron, continuously straffed by Condor Legion planes.
Nationalist artillery began to shell the city as the Basques retreated across
the Nervión River to form a line on the western bank.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 5. a Brigada, 61. a División de Navarra,
requetés (4-4-7's), field chaplins, Panzer 1's, artillery,
straffing.
Republican: Elements of the Ejército de Euzkadi, T-26 tanks, renault
tanks,.
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 570-571.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 169.
SCW72 Just a Diversion
Huesca, Spain, June 13, 1937. Another offensive designed to draw northern
strength away from the beleaguered basques had been approved by the Republican
command and in mid-June, following a fifteen minute artillery and aerial
bombardment, anarchist troops spearheaded by the Hungarian Rakosi Battalion
advanced across open terrain, heading toward Huesca.
Aftermath: Nationalist artillery fire rained down upon the advancing
Republican troops. The Rakosi Battalion suffered over two hundred casualties
in just a few minutes and was forced to withdraw. Lacking tank support,
the second line did not leave its trenches. A later attempt also failed
to make headway, this time inflicting murderous casualties on the Spanish
Muerte and Italian Garibaldi Battalions. For all its promises, the Republican
offensive had cost over 10,000 casualties and had failed to draw any troops
away from the Basque front.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: artillery.
Republican: Elements of Batallón Rojo y Negro (4-4-7's).
Terrain: open.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, pp. 115-116.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 568.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 195.
SCW73 End of Euzkadi
Bilbao, Basque Provinces, June 16, 1937. Routing a Basque divison, the
Nationalists stormed the city. Basques positions were under heavy shell
fire. Since the civilians had been evacuated, the Basques fought on in the
empty city, trying to salvage something from the wreckage of their plans.
Aftermath: As more than 20,000 shells poured down in the city, the
basques were forced back. Fighting was house to house with many buildings
changing hands several times. Finally, after taking many casualties, the
Basque army was ordered to abandon the city. Bilbao would fall three days
later.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 61. a División de Navarra, Panzer 1's,
field chaplins, artillery.
Republican: Elements of the 1. a (Basque) División Vasco, renault
and T-26 tanks.
Terrain: city.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas pp. 571-572.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 169.
SCW74 Here We Go
Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, July 6, 1937. The long awaited
Republican offensive had begun at 02:00. With a superiority of tanks, guns
and planes, the Popular Army struck south across the arid plain of Estremadura,
hoping to cut off the Nationalist army beseiging Madrid. On the first day
of the offensive, 16th Brigade with part of the 3rd assaulted the town of
Villanueva de la Cañada, held by a company of Nationalist Militia.
What was expected to be an easy victory bogged down at once into a stubborn
fight as the Nationalists, outnumbered nine to one, pounded by artillery
and planes, and assaulted by tanks, refused to be overwhelmed.
Aftermath: As the Republicans advanced behind a screen of tanks,
the Nationalist antitank guns and field artillery put the T-26's out of
commission or into flight. Without the tanks, 3 and 16 Brigades made slow
going. Frustrated by the delay, General Jurado of 18th Corps committed his
cavalry and ordered in the 15th Division, including British and American
elements of the XVth International Brigade into the fight. A gun mounted
in a church tower drove off the Lincolns and British and pinned down the
American Washington Battalion. Faced with stubborn resistence, the Internationals
were reluctant to press on until ordered to proceed "at all costs."
The XVth Brigade finally managed to wrest the town from the Nationalists
at 21:15 hours, but took heavy casualties and lost precious time as they
hurried south.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 2. a Brigada, 71. a División, falange
(3-4-7's), 2 anti-tank guns, 2 field pieces (75mm).
Republican: Elements of the British Battalion, XV. a Brigada Internacional,
34. a División, T-26 tanks, artillery, 75mm, air support.
Terrain: flat, sunbaked ground, town, 100 d. temp in the shade.
SSR:
Victory Conditions: Republican must control town by scenario end, anything
else is a Nationalist victory (of sorts)./time delay scenario.
Notes:
1. Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, James Cortada
2. The Battle for Madrid, George Hills, pp. 149-150.
3. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, p. 118.
4. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 198.
5. Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, ed. James
Cortada, p. 95.
6. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 588.
7. A Concise History of the Spanish Civil War, Gabriel Jackson, pp. 129-130.
The falange defenders only numbered one company.
The British Saklatvala Battalion had come to be known by this time simply
as the British battalion.
Notes on Terrain: ". . . plain with only a few commanding mounds, sandy
but firm soil, almost barren, with vegetation only here and there - small
olive groves, vineyards or unfenced fields, small woods or wild shrub. In
a hot summer, such as that of 1037, the Perales, Aulencia and Guadarrama
run at low levels. Only one road, and that unmetteled." Hills p. 147.
SCW75 The Firecracker
Quijorna, Spain, July 7, 1937. With overwhelming force, Republican V
Army Corp broke through the weak Nationalist front above Brunette. Intending
it to be a sweeping offensive, the Popular Army soon found itself stalled
by gallant defenses in isolated Nationalist pockets. At Quijorna, a handful
of falange militia and Moroccan regulares held out against an entire
Republican Division. The Republican timetable was starting to unravel.
Aftermath: Instead of bypassing this insignificant force, Republican
General "El Campesino" ordered his troops to take Quijorna, but
the Nationalists had reinforced the town with a tabor of Moors before
the attack and resistence was fiercer then expected. Refusing to yield,
El Campesino continued the assault, but it was not until the Republican
30th Division was also committed that Quijorna finally fell, two days later.
Suggestion of Forces
Nationalist: Elements of the 14. a División, Moroccan regulares
(4-5-8's), Elements of the 71. a División, falange (3-4-7's), one
anti tank gun.
Republican: Elements of the 10. a Brigada Mixta, 46. a División (4-4-7's),
commissar, T-26 tanks, artillery, generous air support.
Terrain: flat, sunbaked ground, town, 100 d. temp in the shade.
SSR:
Victory Conditions: Republican must control town by scenario end, anything
else is a Nationalist victory (of sorts)./time delay scenario.
Notes:
1. Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, James Cortada
2. The Battle for Madrid, George Hills, p. 152.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 588-589.
4. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 198.
5. A Concise History of the Spanish Civil War, Gabriel Jackson, pp. 129-130.
El Campesino later lied about the number of defenders in Quijorna to make
his delay seem more plausable.
At Los Llanos, north of the town, many of the Moroccans refused to surrendur
and committed suicide.
SCW76 Blood Of The Legion
Villafranca, Spain, July 11, 1937. "In attack and counter-attack
at Villafranca, during the Brunette offensive, the 13th Bandera of the Spanish
Foreign Legion was decimated to the extent that the senior surviving rank
in the entire bandera was a `brigada.'
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 13. a Bandera de Tercio de Extranjeros.
Notes:
1. The Spanish Foreign Legion, John Scurr, p. 35.
SCW77 Rushin Requetés
Villanueva del Pardillo, Spain, July 12, 1937. Having recovered from
the tardy advance of the Republicans, the Nationalists launched their own
counteroffensive. The 5th Navarrese Brigade, brought down from the north
to help counter the Republican drive attacked across the Guadarrama river,
attempting to enlarge the Nationalist bridgehead. Troops from the Republican
10th Division, having helped capture Villanueva del Pardillo, deployed south
of the town and now found themselves on the defensive trying to stop the
Nationalist drive.
Aftermath: Utilizing captured T-26 tanks, the Navarrese smashed the
10th's lines, causing considerable casualties. They enlarged the bridgehead
over the river but were themselves badly mauled by the stubborn Republican
defense. It was a story that was repeated elsewhere.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 5. a Brigada de Navarra requetés
(4-4-7's), captured T-26 tanks, air support, machine guns.
Republicans: Elements of the 10. a División (4-4-7's).
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Battle For Madrid, George Hills, p. 161.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 199.
SCW78 Mosquito Hill
Mesquite Ridge, Spain, July 18, 1937. After almost continuous fighting,
the advance of the Americans of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion and the French
of the Six de Fevrier Battalion had been stalled at the foot of the
Mesquite ridge, just two kilometers from Boadilla del Monte. The sound of
bullets whizzing overhead became so plentiful that they called the ridge
"Mosquito Hill." Every attack of theirs had been beaten off and
food and water were nearly exhausted. The weary Internationals dug shallow
pits into the dusty plain, preparing for the inevitable counterattack.
Aftermath: The Nationalists had repulsed every attack against Boadilla
and by the 17th had started their own counteroffensive. The Internationals
held their ground for some time but when their ammunition was nearly exhausted,
they were forced to retreat. By the time they were pulled out of action,
the American Lincoln and Washington Battalions had taken fifty percent casualties
and had to be merged into a single unit.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 12. a División (4-5-7's).
Republican: Elements of the 35. a División, the American Lincoln
Battalion, XV. a Brigada Internacional (4-4-7's), machine guns, foxholes.
Terrain: ridge, flat, sunbaked ground, town, 100 d. temp in the shade.
SSR:
1. Increase breakdown number of Republican machine guns by one to reflect
low ammunition.
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, pp. 118-119.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, pp. 198-199.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 589.
SCW79 The Sum Of It All
Brunette Spain, July 24, 1937. Republican attempts to hold their meagre
gains of the Brunette offensive were collapsing as Nationalist forces were
shattering Republican units everywhere. In the center, where fierce fighting
had been ongoing for several days, Nationalist troops were fighting to retake
Brunette while the Republic's best division, the llth, was struggling to
hold on.
Aftermath: With bitter determination, the Nationalist 13th Division
under General Barrón broke through the Republican lines and retook
all of Brunette except the cemetary on the northern side of town, where
the Republicans managed to establish a tenuous hold. The next morning, the
Republicans would pull out, but reinforced by the 35th and 14th Division,
attempted repeated countattacks that penetrated but failed to retake the
town. An ensuing Nationalist attack broke the Republican line and the Republicans
retreated, abandoning all they had fought for.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 6. o Tabor de Melilla, 13. a División
(4-5-8's), aircraft bombers, Panzer 1's, cavalry.
Republican: Elements of the 100. a Brigada Mixta, 11. a División
(4-4-7's).
Terrain: Town, flat, sunbaked ground, town, 100 d. temp in the shade.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Battle For Madrid, George Hills, p. 164.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 590.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, pp. 199-200.
SCW80 Reinosa Rout
Reinosa, Spain, August 14, 1937. On the opening day of the Santander
offensive, six Navarrese Carlist brigades under General Solchaga assaulted
the line held by the XVth Republican Army Corps in the rugged Cantabtrian
mountains. The Nationalist advance planned on taking the Castillian port
of Santander while the Santandaristas were determined to hold out until
help from the Republic could arrive.
Aftermath: The Navarrese attack, backed by German Condor Legion planes,
broke the back of the Republican resistance, routing XVth corps before it.
The front had collapsed and two days later, Reinosa and its armament factory
fell to the Carlists. Santander lay on the plains before them.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: requetés, (4-4-7's), air support.
Republican: Elements of the 54. a División (4-4-7's).
Terrain: mountainous.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 596-597.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 170.
SCW81 23rd Of March
Escudo, Spain, August 23, 1937. Italian troops participating in the
Nationalist northern offensive broke through the Republican front in Santander
along the coastal areas. But in the Cantabrian mountains, it was a different
story as Republican troops fighting a grim battle were determined to hold
the Italians off.
Aftermath: The Republican forces were able to hold up the Italian
forces by their fierce stand, but in the end, the preponderance of Italian
artillery and air support pushed the Santandaristas back and the Italians
captured the crucial Escudo pass.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the "XXIII di Marzo" Divisione (or 23
de Marzo), artillery, air support.
Republican:
Terrain: mountainous
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 170.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 596-597.
23rd of March refers to the day Mussolini entered Rome at the head of his
blackshirts.
SCW82 Aragón Standstill
Belchite, Spain, September 2, 1937. In a repeat of Brunette, Republican
forces attacking in a large offensive were being bogged down by determined
Nationalists holding out in isolated pockets. At Belchite, Americans of
the Lincoln Battalion were unable to take the town, held by only a few hundred
men. Some platoons had been cut off and were pinned down by enemy fire from
a church. Others advanced, only to be cut to pieces. Stubbornly, the American
commander ordered his officers to urge the men on.
Aftermath: Lobbing grenades ahead of them, the Americans assaulted
an olive oil factory, only to find it empty. But they had breached the town.
A meagre artillery barrage consisting of a few shots still managed to rout
the defenders of the church. The Americans began to advance, clearing house
after house by grenade while snipers continued to slim their ranks. Finally,
Belchite fell to the next day to the XVth International and 32nd Spanish
Brigades, after thirteen days of fighting. The town and 1500 prisoners were
taken, but the cost had been high.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Falange (3-4-7's)
Republican: Elements of the 35. a División, American Lincoln Battalion,
XV. a Brigada Internacional (4-4-7's), meagre artillery support 1 barrage.
Terrain: hot small town.
SSR:
Victory Condtions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 407-410.
2. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, pp. 123-124.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 208.
4. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas p. 604.
Nationalist divisons participating in the defense were 51st, 52nd, and 105th.
Republican 27th, 46th, 11th, 35th divisions, inc 24th and 32nd brigades.
SCW83 Tanquistas
Fuentes del Ebro, Spain, October 14, 1937. As the Aragon Offensive
settled into stalemate, Republican commanders decided to shift the weight
of their attack back toward Saragosa, the ultimate prize with the biggest
armoured thrust they had yet mounted. In a concerted attack, 100 T-26 and
BT-5 tanks carrying infantry would sweep through Fuentes del Ebro while
the XVth International Brigade exploited the breakthrough as the armoured
units raced on to Saragossa.
Aftermath: The attack occured at 2:00 p.m, in full daylight. Because
of a last minute change in plans, the 50 T-26 tanks manned by Spanish crews
attacked from a different point than the Russian crewed BT-5's, thus splitting
the force. Immediately as they set out, a hail of rifle fire enveloped the
tanks, killing most of the riders. The International troops could not keep
up with the tanks fast pace and fell behind, leaving the unsupported tanks
to fend for themselves. Murderous artillery fire then knocked out tank after
tank while others lost themselves in deep wide irrigation ditches to be
destroyed or captured. Forced to retreat, many tanks were lost, including
most of the new BT-5's. They had been told they would reach Saragossa in
twenty minutes. The columns of smoke rising from the burning tanks testified
that they would never reach it at all.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: artillery.
Republican: Elements of the 11. a División, BT-5 tanks with half
squad on each tank, armour leader.
Terrain: orchards, groves, town, irrigation ditches (anti-tank ditches).
SSR:
1. Tanks start scenario in motion with riders.
Victory Condtions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 410-413.
2. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston p. 125.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 208.
The Republican offensive began with no air or artillery prep.
SCW84 Mountain Mayhem
Infiesto, Spain, October 15, 1937. The Nationalist drive to conquer
Asturia, the last Republican pocket in the north, had begun against a force
only half its size and poorly equipped. Nonetheless, the Nationalists, lacking
air cover that had been diverted south, could make no headway against the
desperate Asturians and for six weeks, the Republicans held most of their
ground against the onslaught. With the return of the German Condor Legion,
Nationalist General Dávila was determined to finally breakthrough
to Gijón.
Aftermath: Despite stubborn fighting, the Asturians were unable to
prevent the juncture of two Nationalist columns at the mountain town of
Infiesto. With its capture, thousands of troops in the mountains were in
danger of being cut off and the Republican lines ceased to exist as the
troops routed in panic. The Nationalists entered Gijón six days later.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the Army of the North, requetés (4-4-7's),
air support, field artillery.
Republican: artillery, machine guns.
Terrain: Mountain, town.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas. pp. 609-610.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, pp. 208-209.
3. Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, ed. James
Cortada, p. 528.
The Republican units were the XIVth Republican Army (8-10,000 men), and
the XVIIth Army (35,000 men).
SCW85 The Tooth of Teruel
Teruel, Spain, December 15, 1937. In an attempt to forestall another
Nationalist offensive against Madrid, the Republic launched their own attack
against the salient at Teruel. Foregoing a bombardment to achieve surprise,
the Republican forces attacked the surprised Nationalists amidst freezing
cold and biting winds, charging up the Muela de Teruel, the Tooth of Teruel,
the high ground to the west of the town.
Aftermath: Aided partly by surprise, the Republican attack took the
promintory after thirty-six hours of fighting, after which the Nationalist
commander, Colonel D'Harcourt, withdrew his forces into the town. The Republicans,
in command of "the Tooth, " bypassed the town and jucturned at
San Blas the next morning. Teruel was surrounded and the Saragossa road
was threatened, but Republican casualties were in the thousands, not from
fighting but from the cold.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: 81mm mortar, Falange (3-4-7's), soldiers (4-5-7's)
Republican: Elements of the 11. a División (4-4-7), tanks.
Terrain: mountain town, hill, -12 degrees Celcius, snowing, 50 m.p.h. winds.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 639-640.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 217.
3. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, p. 423.
Of the 4000 Nationalist defenders, half were civilians (Falange).
Republicans make no use of bombardment (for tactical reasons of surprise.
Tanks intersped between infantry in French doctrinal manner.
SCW86 Los Dinaminteros
Teruel Spain, December 21, 1937. Having surrounded the town, the
Republican XXII Army, spearheaded by the 11th Division assaulted the freezing
and starved garrison of Teruel. The Nationalist commander, Colonel D'Harcourt
was ordered to hold out until relieved. Stubbornly his soldiers and civilians
resisted the press of the Republicans.
Aftermath: Determined to take the town, the Republic brought in truckloads
of dinaminteros, who proceeded to lead the way, blasting strongpoint
from strongpoint out from under the Nationalists. House clearing proceeded
with grenade and bayonet and though the Republican government ordered otherwise,
civilian casualties were high. As the dinaminteros reached the Plaza
de Toros, the surviving Nationalists retreated to the Convent de la Santa
Clara and Bank of Spain buildings on the south end of town, preparing to
hold out until relief came.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: troops (4-5-7's, 3-4-7's), falange (3-4-7's), 81mm mortar,
machine gun.
Republicans: Elements of the 11. a División (4-4-7's), armoured car.
Reinforcements: dinaminteros., trucks.
Terrain: Mountain town, snow, clear skies, cold.
SSR:
Nationalist will not surrender.
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 424-425.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 641.
SCW87 Winter's Touch
Teruel, Spain, December 31, 1937. The Nationalist offensive to relieve
Teruel had begun on December 29th, with the greatest bombardment of the
war. Hampered by cold, which affected planes, tanks and men, the Nationalists
pushed on through blizzerd conditions and the lowest recorded temperature
of the century. On New Year's Eve, lacking camoflage, the Republicans and
Nationalists squared off as the weather waged war against both sides.
Aftermath: As the temperature dropped, planes either crashed or became
grounded. Tanks, trucks and armoured cars froze solid. Men froze at their
posts or died in their sleep. Combat was waged not for advance or ideals,
but for firewood to stay alive. Still, the Nationalists, with stubborn determination,
pressed on and managed to reach La Muela de Teruel by the afternoon of New
Year's Eve. But lacking winter clothing, one third of their troops had become
casualties to the cold.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: requetés (4-4-7's), regulares (4-5-8's).
Republican:
Terrain: Hill overlooking town, heavy snow 4ft., blizzard, -18 degrees Celcius.
SSR:
1. Moors lack winter clothing altogether. (lower broken morale by one),
CX status?
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 641.
2. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, p. 427.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 218.
SCW88 The MacPaps
Teruel, Spain, January 19, 1938. The Nationalist counterattack had broken
the Republican line. Into the breach, the Republican 35th Division, consisting
of the XIth and XVth International Brigades, was hurled to try and stop
the Nationalists. As Russian and Italian fighters squared off overhead,
Italian artillerly pummeled the Internationals, behind which barrage the
Nationalists surged forward.
Aftermath: Attempting to deploy on the hill, La Muela de Teruel,
one battalion of the XIth International was almost anihilated by artillery.
Losses among other units were equally high. Despite dogged resistence, the
Internationals lost the height and were pushed back into the city. One company
of the Canadian "Mac-Pap's" took ninety percent losses as did
some British companies. American machine gun nests were blown apart by artillery.
As snowstorms impeded supplies, troops starved and died of exposure as well
as combat. Managing to hold out for some twenty days, the 35th was finally
relieved by the Spanish 46th Division. Still taking losses from sniper fire,
the decimated Internationals retreated into Teruel as the Nationalists closed
in.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: requetés and regulares (4-4-7's & 4-5-8's)
artillery.
Republican: Elements of the Canadian-American Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion,
XV. a Brigada Internacional (4-4-7's).
Terrain: Hill, town, cold.
SSR:
1. Lower Moroccan morale by one on broken side (lack of clothing), CX status?
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 649.
2. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, p. 130.
3. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 432-433.
4. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 219.
SCW89 De frente!
Argente, Spain, February 6, 1938. At the noon, the Nationalist 1st
Cavalry Division assembled across the Republican lines west of Visiedo.
The clearing weather allowed Nationalist fiat fighters to soften up the
enemy positions. The division commander, General Monasterio drew his saber
and shouted to his troops, "De frente!" Taking up the cry,
two thousand horsemen surged ahead, galloping across the flat hard plain
towards the Republican trenches.
Aftermath: The cavalry fanned out into waves of horsemen that swept
over the plain and overran the stunned Republican 27th Division. The green
Republican troops were so surprised and panicked by the charge that they
failed to fight back and were utterly routed. Machine guns and prepared
artillery were captured intact from positions that could have slaughtered
the cavalry had they been used. In all, the Nationalists suffered three
casualties from men that had fallen off their horses.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Strafing runs, followed by Elements of the 4. o Escuadrón,
1. a División de Caballería (4-5-7's) & horses.
Reinforcements entering 2nd turn: Elements of the 1. o Regimiento, 1. a
División de Caballería (4-5-7's) & horses.
Reinforcements arriving the 3rd turn: Elements of the 2. o Regimiento, 1.
a División de Caballería (4-5-7's) & horses.
Republicans: Elements of the 27. a División (3-4-7's & 3-3-6's),
machine guns, trenches, artillery.
Terrain: flat hard ground, clear cold.
SSR's:
1. Republicans must take an immediate M.C. when attacked by cavalry unit
for the first time. Units stacked with or adjacent to a unit that breaks
to such an attack must take an immediate M.C.even if they suceeded against
an M.C. forced by an attack. (The Republicans were inordinately afraid of
a cavalry charge, out of all proportion to the danger it posed.)
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 435-437.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 219.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 648.
Though the largest and most spectacular cavalry charge wasn't much of a
fight (another 1000 horsemen were in reserve but never charged for not being
needed as the initial attack decided the issue in half an hour), this does
not mean that this replay goes the same way. As has been noted, the Republicans
were in a position to inflict much damage on the cavalry had they stood
their ground.
SCW90 Oops
Alfambra, Spain, February 7, 1938. Too late to save the besieged Nationalist
garrison at Teruel, the Nationalists decided to launch an attack fifteen
miles north of Teruel at Alfambra, where the Republican lines were weakest.
As Navarrese Carlists and green jacketed Foreign Legion troops awaited the
order to jump off, two waves of Italian bombers arrived to initiate the
attack. But as bombs began falling around them, it became evident that the
planes had mistaken the Nationalist trenches for their target.
Aftermath: The casualties from the bombing were relatively light
and the attack proceeded otherwise as planned. Republican forces were pushed
from the field and before they could send reinforcements; their flank had
been turned and Teruel was cut off from the north. Teruel, having only just
been captured, was doomed to fall again.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Carlist requetes (4-4-7's), and Spanish Foreign Legion
(4-5-7's), trenches.
Republican: Air support (mistaken Nationalist attack), and troops.
Terrain:
SSR:
1. The air support is actually a planned Nationalist attack that fell on
the wrong target.
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 219.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 648.
SCW91 Alfambra
Alfambra, Spain, February 21, 1938. "Attacked by numerous tanks
and three battalions of carabineers during the battle of Alfambra, the 6th
Bandera of the Spanish Foreign Legion, firing their machine guns from well
entrenched positions, routed the enemy, who left nearly 200 dead and wounded
strewn before the wire, while the bandera sustained only three casualties.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 6. a Bandera de Tercio de Extranjeros, wire,
machine guns.
Republicans: tanks, carabineers
Notes:
1. The Spanish Foreign Legion, John Scurr, p. 35.
SCW92 The Peasant's Escape
Teruel, Spain, February 22, 1938. So dearly won, the Republican Army
had abandoned its brief prize of Teruel and fled before the victorious Nationalists.
As rebel planes strafed fleeing enemy soldiers, the Nationalist advance
had trapped 16,000 men of the Republican 46th Division inside the city.
Once the besiegers, the mauled 46th Division found itself being pushed back
inside Teruel as Nationalist forces fought their way in. Having been written
off by the Republic, the remnants of the division were determined to fight
their way out.
Aftermath: Refusing to surrender, the Republican commander, "El
Campesino" led his men against the Nationalist forces and despite terrible
losses, they managed to break the Nationalist lines and fight their way
to freedom. But it was a phyrric victory as once again the Republic had
wasted their best men and equipment in a struggle that had brought them
nothing.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: snipers.
Republican: Elements of the 46. a División (4-4-7's, half squads,
3-4-7's).
Terrain: snowbound city.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 433-434.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 649.
SCW93 March To The Sea
Quinto (?), Spain, March 9, 1938. Taking advantage of the Republic's
material losses at Teruel, the Nationalists launched their own Aragón
offensive, well coordinated by artillery and air strikes and spearheaded
by tanks. On the first day of the offensive, General Yagüe's Moroccan
Corps met the Republican 44th Division on the right bank of the Ebro river.
Aftermath: With German tanks in the vanguard, Yagüe's troops
smashed the material poor 44th Division, some of whose men entered the battle
without rifles. By the end of the day, the Moroccan Corp had advanced 22
miles along the Ebro with all resistence crumbling before it.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Panzer 1's (see 11 March, 1938. The Spanish Foreign Legion,
John Scurr, p. 35.), Elements of the Spanish Foreign Legion (4-5-7's), artillery,
air support.
Republican: Trenches (?), Elements of the 44. a División (3-4-7's
and some 3-3-6's).
Terrain: river bank.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 222.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 653.
Participating in the attack for the Nationalists were Yagüe's Moroccan
Corp, 5th Navarrese Division, 1st Cavalry Division, Italian Corp (Black
Arrows and 23rd of March), Galician Corp.
Republicans had almost no artillery and only sixty planes.
SCW94 Deja Vu
Belchite, Spain, March 10, 1938. Out of contact with other units and
with things falling into chaos around them, the XVth International Brigade
tried to brave the storm of the Nationalist Aragón onslaught by falling
back to Belchite to take a stand. The Americans, Canadians and Cubans of
the XVth were ordered to hold the town that they had so bitterly won, while
the British were stationed nearby. Nationalist troops under General Solchaga
immediatly attacked the Internationals and once again, the now dead town
of Belchite was witness to bitter house to house fighting.
Aftermath: Setting up their machine guns in the olive factory, the
Lincolns and Mac-Paps were able to resist until the afternoon of the next
day when Nationalist tanks pushed them out of the town. Executing a fighting
withrawl to Gandesa, the British Battalion was almost wiped out when it
advanced onto a Nationalist tank unit. The Remnants of the XVth and XIth
Internationals made a brave stand but were surrounded. Beating off a cavalry
attack, the battalions disolved into fleeing individuals and small groups
of men. Of the Lincolns, by the time they crossed the Ebro river, only 30
men remained out of 550.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalist: Elements of the 5. a División de Navarra, requetés
(4-4-7's), artillery.
Reinforcements: Panzer 1's and captured T-26's.
Republicans: Elements of the American Lincoln and Canadian-American Mackenzie-Papineau
Battalions, XV. a Brigada Internacional (4-4-7's), machine guns.
Terrain: ruined town.
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 456-465.
2. Legions of Babel, Verle Johnston, pp. 132-133.
3. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 653.
SCW95 Stand At Lérida
Lérida, Catalonia, March 29, 1938. Exhausted and deprived of
necessary materials, Republican forces everywhere were crumbling before
the Nationalists. Only the suicidal defense of the Internationals at Gandesa,
and "El Campesino's" 46th Division at Lérida had been able
to hold them. At Lérida, the Nationalists had been frustrated in
their attempts to take the town for several days as Republican troops fought
a seasaw battle with the Moroccans in the ruined streets.
Aftermath: The Nationalist assault was stifled at Lérida for
the time being, but continued pressure began to tell and on April 3rd, the
Repubicans were finally eliminated from the rubbled town. But by making
their stand for a week, "El Campesino's" men had bought valuable
time for their side.
Suggestion of Forces:
Nationalists: Panzer 1's, Moroccan regulares (4-5-8's), artillery,
air strikes.
Republicans: Elements of the 46. a División (4-4-7's).
Terrain: ruined town.
SSR:
1. Republicans are fanatic.
Victory Conditions.
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, pp. 660, 664.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 223.
SCW96 Trial At Tortosa
Tortosa, Catalonia, April 5, 1938. Racing towards the sea, Italian troops
met little resistence until they entered the riverside town of Tortosa,
site of the only good crossing of the Ebro in the area, a steel bridge.
The town having been destroyed by the German Condor Legion provided good
cover for the few Republican defenders of the bridge, remnants of the Republican
11th Division. The Italians, who desired the glory of being the first to
reach the sea, had to first take the bridge, preventing the Republicans
from crossing the river in their rear.
Aftermath: Faced with unyielding resistence, the Italians found they
could not take the bridge and, with the Meditaranean in sight, they relinqueshed
the honour of reaching the sea to the 4th Navarrese Division, who had captured
the fishing village of Vinaroz. After thirteen more days of struggle, the
Italians would finally take the bridge, exhausting their fighting capability
in the process. For the enemy, the end was the same, the Republic was cut
in half.
Suggestion of Forces:
Italian: German air support,
Republican: Elements of 11. a División (4-4-7's).
Terrain:
SSR:
Victory Conditions:
Notes:
1. The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas, p. 667.
2. The Spanish Civil War, Antony Beevor, p. 223.
2. The Passionate War, Peter Wyden, pp. 469-471.