PART VII : SPANISH CIVIL WAR
June, 1936
After the reforms of Shaposhnikov, Comrade Stalin appointed talented General Tukhachevsky to improve fighting capability of Red Army.
July, 1936
In Spain, Fascist generals led by General Franco revolted against the Popular Front government. Generals tried to overthrow the government with a swift coup but Republican government managed to keep most of Spain under control with support from the working class. Communists, Social Democrats, Socialists, Anarchists, all of them rallied behind the government to fight against Fascists.
Following Franco's appeal for help, Fascist Italy and Germany sent thousands of volunteers, planes and war equipment to Spanish Fascists. Republican side too appealed to France, Britain and Soviet Union for help.
Issue of helping Republican side was discussed in Kremlin. Comrade Stalin decided to help Republicans combat against Fascism. Comrade Stalin argued that this would increase Bolshevik influence in Spain and would counter Fascist expansionism in Europe.
Republican Diary
Most of Republican forces were in Oviedo when Fascists revolted. This is a serious setback for Republican fighting ability as Fascists could easily cut supply lines of this huge force. There is not any transport ships available to Republican side either. Republican High Command ordered hasty withdrawal towards Leon to link up with the rest of Republican forces. Fascist forces in Africa landed in Sevilla with the help of German transport ships. Fortunately, there is a division that remained loyal to Republicans in Cadiz and this force was ordered to push Fascists into the sea. Republican forces in the eastern Spain is also in disarray. They were ordered to refrain from fighting and to reorganize along Tarragona-Barcelona line.
Medium bombers from Valencia are bombing Fascist positions in Sevilla. Republican force is slowly overrunning Fascist depositions in Sevilla.
Republican Army arrived at Leon and stopped Fascist offensive against the region. However, the situation have not been stabilized yet. As long as Republican forces don't secure Salamanca-Plasencia line, supply routes will be in constant danger.
Republican leadership decided to evacuate Barcelone in order not to be trapped by Fascist forces. All forces in Barcelona are retreating towards Tarragona.
Typical cynical behaviour of capitalists : France and Britain decided to leave Spain to the mercy of Fascists. When French and British governments declared their neutrality in the Spanish Civil War, victorious Soviet BT-5 tanks were entering Madrid, liberating the city from Fascists.
Fascist forces in Sevilla surrendered. Also, Republican forces in Barcelona reached to Tarragona. They keep advancing towards Castellon.
A surrendered Fascist rebel being led to a summary court martial :
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