The Spanish Civil War: The Battle of Madrid and the Northern Campaign
The Battle for Madrid
In the summer of 1936, Republican forces halted the Nationalist advance south of the Deva River. The Nationalists captured Ronda and Rio Tinto, followed by Talavera and Maqueda in September. Although the path to Madrid seemed open, Franco prioritized the relief of Nationalist rebels besieged in Toledo’s Alcázar. This propaganda victory delayed the Nationalist assault on Madrid, giving the Republicans time to prepare throughout October.
By mid-October, Nationalist forces under Varela reached Illescas, threatening Madrid from the south and west. The Republican government relocated to Valencia, leaving the defense of Madrid to the Junta de Defensa, led by General Miaja. On November 7th, a fortuitous discovery of enemy tank plans helped the Republicans repel the initial Nationalist assault. The arrival of the International Brigades boosted Republican morale, though their impact on subsequent fighting was limited. Soviet aircraft and the Condor Legion’s Junkers bombers engaged in aerial combat, while fierce fighting raged on the university campus.
After several days of intense fighting, Franco abandoned the direct assault on Madrid. He then initiated a series of operations to encircle the city. An advance along the La Coruña road in late 1936 failed to sever Republican communication lines. A second attempt in February 1937, the Battle of Jarama, proved to be one of the war’s most brutal engagements, involving both domestic and foreign forces. The Republican resistance ultimately led to a stalemate.
The War in the North
Meanwhile, an Italian expeditionary force captured Málaga in February 1937. Encouraged by this success, the Italians proposed an operation in Guadalajara, which Franco approved. The Italian offensive, launched in March with 40,000 men and substantial artillery, initially broke through the Republican lines. However, the offensive ultimately failed, marking the first major Republican victory in open warfare. This defeat forced the Italians to accept Franco’s leadership and persuaded Franco to abandon the immediate objective of capturing Madrid.
From late March 1937, the Nationalist focus shifted to the Republican forces isolated in the north. The Nationalists aimed to control the region’s industries and resources, and to consolidate their forces for the main front around Madrid. The campaign in Biscay, led by Mola, began on March 31st. Repeated bombings by the Condor Legion, including the infamous destruction of Guernica on April 26th, preceded a fierce assault on Durango. By June, the Nationalist advance on Bilbao was unstoppable. The Basque government abandoned the city, refusing to destroy its industries. Bilbao fell on June 19th, and Franco repealed the Basque Statute four days later.
While the Nationalists advanced in the north, the Republican army launched offensives at La Granja and Huesca to divert enemy forces, but with limited success. Following the fall of Bilbao, the Republican Chief of Staff, Colonel Rojo, planned the Brunete offensive to break the siege of Madrid. Initial Republican gains were reversed by Nationalist counterattacks under Varela. By the end of July, Franco halted the offensive to concentrate on the northern campaign. The Battle of Brunete resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.