Battle Of Gandesa (1938)
Background
After the fall of Caspe, the Nationalists troops continued their advance towards Catalonia with the support of the Legion Condor and the Aviazione Legionaria. By the end of February the nationalists had reached the outskirts of Gandesa. The XV International Brigade had been retreating since the Aragón Offensive began, and the republican lines collapsed.
The battle followed the decision of the XV International Brigade to dig in and hold the town of Gandesa in an effort to slow down the Francoist troops, which had been advancing steadily since the beginning of the offensive.
Battle
The town of Gandesa was held by the XV International Brigade. The Nationalists attacked with troops of Mario Berti's CTV and Monasterio's Army Corps. Despite the prowess of the British troops, Gandesa fell on 3 April and 140 British and American members of the International Brigades were captured. However, the resistance of the XV Brigade allowed the Republican troops to regroup and to withdraw some material across the Ebro River.
Cultural references
This battle is mentioned in the song Jamie Foyers, where the fictional hero is killed.
See also
- List of Spanish Nationalist military equipment of the Spanish Civil War
- List of weapons of the Corpo Truppe Volontarie
- Aviazione Legionaria
- Condor Legion
- List of Spanish Republican military equipment of the Spanish Civil War
References
- ^ Salas Larrazabal, Ramón (2006); Historia del Ejército Popular de la República, La Esfera de los Libros, Madrid; ISBN 84-9734-465-0.
- ^ Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 859 (Spanish edition).
- ^ Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 871 (Spanish edition)
- ^ Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 862 (Spanish edition).
- ^ Thomas, Hugh. (2001). The Spanish Civil War. Penguin Books. London. p.781
41°3′N 0°26′E / 41.050°N 0.433°E
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