Chapter 2: Let the good times roll
May 1937
During years 1937-39 something like a modest, local version of Roaring Twenties emerged in Spain, thanks to liberal economic policies, recovering global economy and booming Coca-cola trade. The rebuilding of the country after the Civil War was well under way and government had taken bold steps for massive expansion of Spanish industry. The emerging liberalism quickly penetrated all of Spanish society as centuries of oppression, narrow-mindedness and class-society were brushed aside by the people. The lifestyle, habits and expectations of people were dramatically different, and more visibly fashion on the streets begun to change dramatically. Practically this ment skirts that shortened by average pace of 1.27cm/month, and deeply infuriated clergymen, but all the rest were quite happy with the 'new fashion.' The few brave clergymen who were left at this point argued that this 'moral decadence' threatened to corrupt the character of Spanish people, and were corrosive for national unity.
Government responded dryly that the Civil War had also been rather 'corrosive' for national unity, and most clergymen had been against us anyway.
Heavy investment in foreign trade ment enormous imports of American goods, and now Spanish industry could use less resources into cheap toothpaste and soap, and concentrate on something worthwhile, such as Spanish Industry.
Industry had expanded already by 15% in volume from January 1936 level and much more in cost-effectiveness. Such was this extraordinary success that by now even American media had dubbed Spain as 'the most formidable industrial insect in the world.' Spanish hearts swelled with pride...
Since now our industry seemed less hopelessly obsolete than before, Chief of Staff Toribio "Walrus" Martínez begun to make carefully worded requests to do something with the army. Since the end of the Civil War most of the old officers had been sacked and all formation had been reorganized and appointed with new leaders of unfaltering loyalty. Also these were men who could do more with less, since Defence Budged had been cut so deeply that the paper it was printed on was worth more than the budget. In short, Army was seen as a useless leech that produced nothing, which indeed is the nature of all armies. Even Chief of Staff himself had to work three off-time jobs and peddle army property in black market just to make ends meet.
As the cabinet met on 18th of May 1937 he proposed limited reforms, carefully worded to make the Army sound cheaper and more productive, also hinting that Spanish-made weapons would revitalize the economy. This report was signed by greatest heroes of Civil War, General Rojo and Marshall Miaja, just to add credibility. Though the proposition was abandoned, 'the Trio' made such a noise for next two weeks that finally limited reforms were accepted, just to get cabinet members some peace. But all of it had to be 'cheaper than Daily Mail and about hundred times more silent.' With gusto the best brains of Spain were set into motion, restructuring the Army and paying special attention to infantry, since Navy and Air Forces had no gasoline anyway. Spain exported all munitions that were produced, most into USSR, and national stockpiles were falling fast. Actually so fast that even Toribio had no time to steal anything.
While the standard of living rose dramatically in Spain during this period (sugar consumption rose by 512% between 1936-39) some problems simply could not be brushed aside. 7th June 1937 a major strike broke our in Barcelona docks, workers demanding safer regulations, higher salaries and more Coca-cola. While Chief of Staff suggested driving over them with a tank, this was judged to be unacceptable as tanks used a lot of gasoline. Finally deal was made, and workers went back to work as new, happier men of Social-Democratic Wonderland of Spain. "strength from joy indeed" muttered the President.
As pressing as internal matter were, Spanish intelligence services and media did not turn a blind eye to global events.
Fascists aggression in Ethiopia had lasted a whole year, took a vacation over Christmas and went back to work in January, and was now threatening Adis Abeba. However, Ethiopian mountains were hostile terrain indeed and attacking Italian forces suffered terribly from hunger, heat, murdering natives and VD. Spanish government begun to spread the news of Fascist aggression systematically, creating widespread antipathy towards Italian ambitions that were seen as barbaric and imperialistic. They were also rather silly. Ethiopia was desperately poor country, and there was no realistic way that it's occupation could become profitable. Mussolini was chasing dreams.
Adis Abeba nearly surrounded, July 1937.
In Ethiopia many Italian Fascists had a good taste of war. Many soon found it not to their liking.
But Ethiopia was still fighting back with surprising or, depending on perspective, frustrating fury. Mountains, terrible heat and long supply lines were causing more casualties to Italians than Ethiopian bullets, but Ethiopian army had also won important victories against invaders, using their superb familiarity with the terrain and fieldcraft to their advantage.
Ethiopian soldiers dug in around Adis Abeba. July 1937.
While Ethiopia was not the paragon of Democracy, surely it deserved better than hostile occupation of that walking joke named Mussolini. As the Italian Army fought and lost with increasing desperation, it was also becoming a victim of international ridicule. A popular Madrid graffiti read "LOST: ONE ITALIAN ARMY GROUP. A GOOD REWARD FOR HONEST FINDER."
Naturally League of Nations interfered with magnificent inefficiency.
Rabbit: 'As my offensive weapons are nil, I must charm it with the power of my eyes.'
Even as Italian army seemed puny, Fascist Italy was not a force to sneer at, at least if you were Spain. Italian Navy was disproportionately more powerful than the feeble land forces, and had significant presence on the Mediterranean. The perfidious Italians had raving fantasies of Mediterranean being 'their' ocean, their
Mare Nostrum -a ridiculous claim at best. Spain had fought here centuries before those pesky Italians united their nation! Also, we were not alone on this theater. Two significant Great Powers had interests here; France and UK. France had her colonies on Algeria while UK jealously protected her lifeline to India through Suez. While Italy might bolster his clearly flagging manhood by beating poor countries such as Ethiopia, major disturbances would not be tolerated.
Italian Navy was, unfortunately, a sight to behold. Spanish experts carefully estimated that Regia Marina is
at least four times larger than Spanish navy, and indefinitely more modern. Luckily our territories overseas were more worthless than worthlessness itself, and in case of war with Italy (unthinkable!) they would simply be written off. Nonetheless, we had managed to secure some information about their Vittoria Veneto-class Battleship.
Vittoria Veneto. 1937.
This modern ship had displacement of 45,963 tons fully loaded, speed 29 knots, range of 3,920 nautical miles and main batteries 3x15 inch, enough to make a Spanish seaman gape.
Fortunately, Royal Navy would come down like a ton of bricks on Italians should they overplay their little games. While Italy dreamed of Empire, UK actually possessed one already, and still ruled the waves. As Spanish national history knew, the British took naval matters very seriously and had an long history as formidable seamen. They had a new, strange design know as s 'carrier', a big ship without big guns. Despite the economic turmoil, they seemed to prioritize Navy above all other military matters,and had recently completed the hull of their new carrier, Ark Royal. This mighty ship was named after the flagship of the English fleet during the Spanish Armada campaign of 1588, a time Spain would like to forget. For 350 years Britain had ruled the waves, and seemed determined to do so in the future. If Italians really wanted to try their luck against Royal Navy, Spain would gladly enjoy the fireworks.
HMS Ark Royal in 1937.
She was impressive 240m long, with speed of 30 knots and modern design on which the hangars and flight deck were an integral part of the hull, instead of an add-on or part of the superstructure, or so the Brits boasted. In naval matters Brits were a voice to listen to. Also USA had many carriers, and everything USA did
had to be great! Italy had none, which only showed their disregard of reality.
Mediterranean in 1937.
August 1937
On 13th August when Europe slept tremendous events were taking place on other side of the world. After a clash between border forces on Marco Polo bridge, the Empire of Japan had invaded peaceful warlords of China! While in Spain the cabinet struggled to find China from the map, the Japanese invaders poured into the unprepared country from the north.
Marco Polo Bridge incident. 15th August 1937.
The ancient and thoroughly obsolete Empire of China was by now divided between warring factions of warlords and various lunatics. Not only was the country hopelessly underdeveloped, undemocratic backwater heap, now it was under attack by the aggressive Japanese. Very well, it seemed that the hardballers had their way in Japanese politics, and they seem to regard war as a natural answer to all difficulties of life.
However, China is a big country, probably bigger than most Japanese commanders realized, and it would not fall easily. Japanese forces begun their assault from Manchukuo, their satellite foothold that they had conquered in the last war. Their puppet emperor of choise was the Puyi, the last Emperor of China, and unemployed after the Empire fell in February 1912. It seems he found a new job as a lap-dog of Japanese conquerors. Such a hard worker.
Emperor and his wife, as happy as two daisies.
Chinese soldiers, eager and otherwise. 1937.
We hoped than China would become a second Ethiopia, but it seems that our hopes are in vain. The Japanese press forward, swiping away pathetic Chinese forces. Great Guns! Even Denmark would fight better! Soviets send some help to China but it is not enough to turn the tide. We hear reports of hundreds of thousand of Japanese soldiers swarming over the northern China.
In 14th September the city of Jinan falls to Fascist aggressors, and Japanese cross the Yellow River. Please do Spain a favor and drown in that river! They don't, and Japanese continue to press forwards...
However, on 20th we have happier news. Some crackpots in Madrid university actually managed to complete that insane rocket project that was assigned to them last year! Now Spain is a serious, civilized nation with highly sophisticated technology. Unfortunately we should build a rocket test site to test our theories, but the estimated cost caused the President six minor heart attacks immediately. The project was postponed indefinitely. But what a glorious achievement!
Soon afterwards our scientists managed to cultivate some multi-seasonal plants, giving our agriculture significant boost. Now Spain feeds more people with less effort, causing wide unemployment. Luckily, we kick kids into schools and others into quickly expanding factories. Also we have lots of manpower to waste in case of war. But major European war is unthinkable, and it would be so expansive to boot.
But Chinese Dragon continues to bleed. In October all the China unites against Japanese aggression and even UK begins to send shady shipments through Burma. These shipments are top-secret, and we should not know that they mostly include Sten guns, ammunition and badly written propaganda. But none of this seems to enough. Chinese can't fight, or they have no soldiers left.
By 10th of November Fascist had almost reached the Chinese capital. Spanish people are infuriated by this savage attack on peace-loving warlords and call for Japan to fight with somebody of his own size! Such as Spain. Cabinet sends strongly worded referendums to Japan, all of which are ignored.
Almost impossible to believe, Spanish scientists managed to build a functioning radio to such level of perfection that it fits mass production. "Jesus has nothing compared to this." commented the President this unexpected breakthrough.
And finally, after a month of ferocious defence, Nanjing falls to the Fascist aggressors.
It has been a dark year for powers of democracy as Fascist boots have trampled the globe. Spanish cabinet retreats for Christmas holidays, weary and pessimistic, dreaming of better days to come when there will be cake.