Key figures (brief)

• Francisco Franco — Leader of the Nationalist rebels, later head of state of Spain.
• Manuel Azaña — President of the Spanish Republic (during key periods of the war).
• Dolores Ibárruri (La Pasionaria) — Prominent Republican speaker and symbol of Republican resistance.
• International Brigades — Volunteers from many countries who fought for the Republic.
• General Emilio Mola — One of the main plotters and Nationalist commanders (died 1937).
• Buenaventura Durruti — Anarchist leader who played a role on the Republican side.

(Names and roles are documented in ILN coverage and standard histories of the conflict.)

Key Events

• August 1936

  • Battle of Badajoz: Nationalist Army of Africa captures Badajoz after heavy fighting; mass reprisals reported.

  • Relief of the Alcázar begins: Nationalist forces move to relieve the siege of the Alcázar garrison in Toledo.

  • Foreign intervention accelerates:
    – Germany and Italy send aircraft and military support to the Nationalists.
    – Soviet advisers begin assisting the Republic.

  September 1936

  • International Non-Intervention Committee formed (Britain & France push policy).

  • Francisco Largo Caballero becomes Republican Prime Minister.

  • Nationalists advance toward Madrid for the first major assault.

  October 1936

  • Franco confirmed as Generalísimo and Head of State of Nationalist Spain.

  • First International Brigade units arrive in Spain to support the Republicans.

  • Nationalists capture Toledo, lifting the siege of the Alcázar — an enormous propaganda victory.

  November 1936

  • Battle of Madrid (first major assault):
    Nationalists attempt to take the capital; the city resists.

  • Republican Government relocates to Valencia for safety.

  • Heavy German & Italian involvement in bombing Madrid.

  December 1936

  • Battle of the Corunna Road: Nationalist attempt to encircle Madrid and cut supply routes.

  • Italian “volunteer” troops begin arriving in large numbers (Corpo Truppe Volontarie).

  • Front stabilises; Madrid holds.

 

 

Who Were the Rebels?
The Rebels — later known as the Nationalists — were led by General Francisco Franco and other senior officers who rose in July 1936 against Spain’s elected Popular Front government, the left-wing administration of the Second Spanish Republic. Their ranks included much of the regular army, particularly units from Spanish Morocco, together with monarchists, conservatives, and members of the Falange (Spain’s fascist movement). They received crucial support from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Portugal.

The opposing Republicans comprised socialists, communists, anarchists, and regional nationalists, supported by the Soviet Union and the International Brigades of foreign volunteers.

 

A contour map summarising the results of the General Elections of February, from which the present conflict arose, showing (L) Left Wing Majorities
(of Republicans, Socialists, and communists), (C) Centre Party Majorities, and (R) Right Wing Majorities. ( inset above) Spanish Morocco, and (below) the Straits of Gibraltar

 

A reign of terror at malaga

 

Where the victorious reds setup a local soviet

 

Malaga, from which loyalist warships sailed to shell rebels ashore

 

John Churchill on scenes near Malaga

 

The first war pictures from Spanish Morocco: A motorist's adventures

 

Stubborn fighting North of Madrid

Fighting at Figueras and Barcelona: (1) Looters at Figueras stopped by armed women, (2) Loyalists repelling priest-led rebels at Figueras, (3) Rebel packhorse artillery destroyed by loyalist machine guns
at Barcelona, (4) A rebel aeroplane over Barcelona, (5) Loyalists in Barcelona labelling commandeered cars.

Spanish goverment submarine being shelled from the shore by rebel
batteries in the straits of Gibraltar: A remarkable photograph taken by
a British passenger in a passing steamer