Okay, let's post a mini update so we'll get to next page. This page is just getting too crowded.
On 16th of June our two divisions of international volunteers finally broke through the stubborn defense of Cádiz, liberating the city. Some 400 Republican heroes lost their lives in this bloody struggle.
Traitors arrested in Cádiz. June 17 1936.
Some traitors managed to escape to Algeciras, but many choose to surrender in morning of 17th June. The escaped division was not pursued, but were simply cut off from all possible supplies. Unfortunately it was suspected that the perfidious British were secretly supplying traitors through their base in Gibraltar. We had received evidence that two British MI6 intelligence agents, Cecil Bebb and Major Hugh Pollard, had actually helped Franco to Spain from Morocce, where he had been posted. Though Britain was officially neutral, Second Republic was deeply skeptical about this matter.
Gibraltar in June 1936, thorn in Republican side and hot-spot of British conspiracies.
In 17th June the Soria pocket was completely sealed. 4a División de Guardia Republicana lost 350 men (and one dog)in fierce battle of Covaleda, but held their ground. During these battles elements of Nationalist traitors tried repeatedly break out of their encirclement. Now Soria pocket was encircled 9 full Republican militia divisions, totaling some 105000 men, some of which were armed.
Heroes of 4a División de Guardia Republicana counterattack, 17th June 1936.
Republican militiaman prepares to fire his weapon during the many battles of Soria pocket. Republican forces generally suffered from not only lack of weapons, but lack of weapons that were not antique. This militiaman, however, seems adequately armed. Picture provided by Republican Intelligence Platoon (RIP). Chief of Staff commented; "Looks like lousy Photoshop work!"
During next days many minor skirmished were fought. Typically Republican forces bore the blunt of the battle.
On 18th of June Columna Mangdata finally reached Barcelona, engaging with Nationalist forces just north of the city and certainly saving the population of Barcelona from bloody reprisal. The disorganized 9th Regimiento was quickly forced to retreat.
After weeks of heavy fighting, in 20th June, the Nationalist attacks in Soria pocket finally begun to subside as trapped nationalist forces were running low on ammunition, food and hope. As a show of chivalry encircling Republicans summoned away the fighter that had been bombing the besieged Nationalists. Two hours later heavy bombers were called to continue the job.
But finally in 21th of June 12a División de Guardia Republicana had reached the suburbs of captured Bilbao. The final phase of Operation Morningwood could finally begin, and in 0600 in 22th of June 12a Division begun the attack, crossing Nervión river. The battle proved short, as Bilbao was defended only by unfortunate Nationalist HQ.
The final phases of Operation Morningwood; recapture of Bilbao, 24nd June 1936. The donkey on foreground was executed as suspected Nationalist spy. WWF send rather furious letters following this accident. President commented; "C'est la guerre."
Victory parade in Bilbao my jubilant Republican forces, 25th June 1936. This celebration unfortunately proved too optimistic.
Strategic situation in Bilbao region had declined. Now heroes of Bilbao were themselves in danger to be cut off, and feared Legion Condor had once again taken offensive.
That's all for today. It was a mini-update after all.
High Operational Command of Second Republic of Spain
June 1936
June 1936
Operation Morningwood part 2
On 16th of June our two divisions of international volunteers finally broke through the stubborn defense of Cádiz, liberating the city. Some 400 Republican heroes lost their lives in this bloody struggle.
Traitors arrested in Cádiz. June 17 1936.
Some traitors managed to escape to Algeciras, but many choose to surrender in morning of 17th June. The escaped division was not pursued, but were simply cut off from all possible supplies. Unfortunately it was suspected that the perfidious British were secretly supplying traitors through their base in Gibraltar. We had received evidence that two British MI6 intelligence agents, Cecil Bebb and Major Hugh Pollard, had actually helped Franco to Spain from Morocce, where he had been posted. Though Britain was officially neutral, Second Republic was deeply skeptical about this matter.
Gibraltar in June 1936, thorn in Republican side and hot-spot of British conspiracies.
In 17th June the Soria pocket was completely sealed. 4a División de Guardia Republicana lost 350 men (and one dog)in fierce battle of Covaleda, but held their ground. During these battles elements of Nationalist traitors tried repeatedly break out of their encirclement. Now Soria pocket was encircled 9 full Republican militia divisions, totaling some 105000 men, some of which were armed.
Heroes of 4a División de Guardia Republicana counterattack, 17th June 1936.
Republican militiaman prepares to fire his weapon during the many battles of Soria pocket. Republican forces generally suffered from not only lack of weapons, but lack of weapons that were not antique. This militiaman, however, seems adequately armed. Picture provided by Republican Intelligence Platoon (RIP). Chief of Staff commented; "Looks like lousy Photoshop work!"
During next days many minor skirmished were fought. Typically Republican forces bore the blunt of the battle.
On 18th of June Columna Mangdata finally reached Barcelona, engaging with Nationalist forces just north of the city and certainly saving the population of Barcelona from bloody reprisal. The disorganized 9th Regimiento was quickly forced to retreat.
After weeks of heavy fighting, in 20th June, the Nationalist attacks in Soria pocket finally begun to subside as trapped nationalist forces were running low on ammunition, food and hope. As a show of chivalry encircling Republicans summoned away the fighter that had been bombing the besieged Nationalists. Two hours later heavy bombers were called to continue the job.
But finally in 21th of June 12a División de Guardia Republicana had reached the suburbs of captured Bilbao. The final phase of Operation Morningwood could finally begin, and in 0600 in 22th of June 12a Division begun the attack, crossing Nervión river. The battle proved short, as Bilbao was defended only by unfortunate Nationalist HQ.
The final phases of Operation Morningwood; recapture of Bilbao, 24nd June 1936. The donkey on foreground was executed as suspected Nationalist spy. WWF send rather furious letters following this accident. President commented; "C'est la guerre."
Victory parade in Bilbao my jubilant Republican forces, 25th June 1936. This celebration unfortunately proved too optimistic.
Strategic situation in Bilbao region had declined. Now heroes of Bilbao were themselves in danger to be cut off, and feared Legion Condor had once again taken offensive.
That's all for today. It was a mini-update after all.