Rihanna is in town and having a concert as I write. Well, this AAR is certainly much more interesting.
Chapter 16: "It was those darn Spaniards!"
3 November 1940
In 4 November 1940 General Jodl, commander of 88th Wehrmacht Infantry Division in Italy, phoned to rear supply site to ask if there were some difficulties in deliveries.
Phone was answered in Spanish.
88. Infantry division had arrived from Germany to rescue struggling Mussolini, but now found itself to be in need of rescue. It had advanced too far and unexpectedly aggressive Spanish advance by 1st "Easy Raider" division had cut it off. German soldiers had often been cynical about their Italian allies who regularly surrendered to Allies, claiming that "real German soldier would send the Spaniards back to Seville." In evening of 4 November unfortunate 88. division had abundant opportunity to test this theory, when Spanish commanders ordered three divisions to attack the Germans. Order was expressed simply "Get them bastards."
Spanish special forces performing heroics, 5 November.
As "Pony Express" and "Phineas" divisions maneuvered to attack the hated fascists, rest of Spanish divisions had come under pressure from German and Italian reinforcements. The situation was tough in north where "Easy Raider" was alone against quickly mounting flood of enemies. Spanish cavalry were elite and fought heroically to buy enough time to finish of 88. division.
But even elite could not hold on forever against superior numbers. 8 November "Easy Raider" finally broke and fled, leaving a gap for Fascists to rescue their comrades. But neither was 88. Infantry doing well. It had been holding ground against determined assault but now 23th "Lord Humungus" division had joined the attack and Germans were dropping like flies.
Spanish soldiers were especially drilled in independent maneuvers and close combat, and Germans were quickly being overrun. Spanish forces had been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to attack hated Fascists and pressed on brutally. If Germans could not save their comrades in few days it would be the end of 88th. Unfortunately for Germans they had no motorized divisions available, and advance was slow.
Heroic "Easy Raider" took over 10% casualties from defensive action.
88.Infantry was fighting with the desperation of doomed but it was useless. Marines of "Phineas" division broke through the last defensive lines early on 9 November, fighting through pouring rain and mud. The battle became chaotic as rest Spanish forces broke through to clear the remains. All wireless contact with 88. was lost 1700 hours, and then it was only static. Fleeing Germans had even the bad luck to be overrun by escaping "Easy Raider" division and only few stragglers reached their rescuers. Experience had been shattering, and message was always the same; "It was those darn Spaniards!"
For first time during the war German division had surrendered under enemy action. German high command was infuriated and hesitated for weeks before the news were told to Hitler. Luckily his doctor had again confused Valium and eye drops, and he took the news rather calmly.
End of 88.Infantry, 9 November.
War was hell, even for Germans.
Spanish forces had little time for celebrations though, with more than 7000 dazed prisoners to handle. Enemy was closing in heavily and it was decided that it was time to say goodbye to Italian hospitality. Everywhere Spanish divisions broke off and begun to pull back, often under heavy fire from vengeful Germans. It was a painful affair to hold the line under broken divisions had retreated, especially for Marines who only possessed light support weapons.
13 November Spanish forces had retreated below Taranto and were reaching safer terrain, but still Fascist dogs were biting the heels. Fortunately Spanish divisions still had their usual devastating firepower which caused lots of pain for advancing Germans.
Italian terrain was widely hated by Germans at this point.
Also motorized German divisions were spotted. Spanish forced had truly retreated at the last possible moment. But to frustrated Germans, there was no easy way to pursue and destroy retreating enemy formations. Those who tried met heavy fire from well-organized enemy, commanded by some of the best generals available.
Pain in rain, 14 November.
19 November Taranto was finally lost. Last Spanish supply ships sailed away as weary and frustrated Germans walked in, leaving rude messages around the city. In south Spanish divisions were careful always to support the retreat of their comrades, nobody was left behind. Germans also found out that they were heavily bombed by Spanish planes operating from Sicily.
Retreating Spanish forces defeated Germans in few skirmishes more before they got smart enough to stop trying. However, it would be foolish to try to hold positions in Italian mainland. With some regret Spanish divisions crossed the strait back to Messina. Last Spanish forces left the mainland on 25 November, leaving a big signpost reading "WE'LL BE BACK."
Italian civilians also had gotten wise, now shouting slogans such as
"Vaffanculo Azaña!" and
"Viva Mussolini!"
This effectively bough OPERATION DANDELION to end.
Crossing the strait, 25 November.
But Spain was still controlling liberated Sicily, which had happily gone back to its native state of government, for it was administrated by local mafia. Since they were much more effective that Italian government and gave Spain a slice of profits, everybody was quite happy with he arrangement. But there was no way Spain was giving this prize back to Mussolini. Spanish home-guard had been transported to Sicily and had already constructed local fortifications. If Fascists wanted it back, they would have to cross oceans of blood to get it. Only an idiot would try.
Three German divisions fulfilled this requirement and attacked 6 December, and many men would not see christmas. This battle provoked fearful gossips about "the Messina Stalker", which was thus speculated to be a close relative of "Faaborg Stalker".
The effort was brave...
...but results were sad. Messina remained in Spanish hands. 13 December.
DANDELION had now officially ended and Spanish high command went through the reports to learn something worthwhile from the experience. The operation had been a tremendous success; objectives were achieved and losses were minimal. The breakthrough to Taranto had been a major Allied propaganda victory and Mussolini was officially shitting bricks. As a bonus, one German divisions had been completely destroyed. Few things were speculated on strategic scale;
1. Italy was the weak underbelly of Germany
2. Spain could win a carefully coordinated offensive against German forces
3. Spain could move rather freely on Mediterranean. For some reason Italian naval and aerial maneuvers had become minimal.
This was encouraging indeed, especially the last part which deserved special attention. Meanwhile Spain licked wounds and administrated the occupied areas. Since Spain was liberating and not exploiting the economic gains were absolutely minimal, though Spain begun to enjoy a small but steady trickle of volunteers to fight against Fascism.
Italy had now lost almost all areas outside the mainland, only few islands remained.
British special forces gain ground in Africa.
PoWs were a special difficulty for Spain who had little experience of handling them. With British and French help Spain set up some decent PoW camps in Spain where most Italians were very grateful to be out of the war. On other side having lots of PoWs around created some unforseen domestic worries for Spanish soldiers posted far away. Typical sarcastical greeting from Spanish soldier to Italian PoW back home was "How's my wife?"
Another problem were hardened Fascists, German SS-men and other bothersome people. For these people Spain created "Special camps", which were perfectly normal expect by one small detail; they were located in Somalian deserts and gleefully guarded by Ethiopians.
Escapes remained very, very rare.
Italian POWs.
Christmas of 1940 was the second of the war, jubilantly celebrated in London, Paris and Madrid. It was, one could speculate, celebrated more gloomily in Berlin and Rome. Soldiers of all nationalities celebrated as well as they could, praying that they would live to see the next one as well. Offensives died away as all took to winter quarters, preparing for new operations. It was dark, wet, depressive winter.
Spanish marines celebrated by assaulting Albania during Christmas Day 1940.
"Merry Christmas from Spain!", 25 December.
Capital Tirane was undefended but from mountains Spanish forces found a single Italian division. Since Yugoslavia was not providing access for Italians, this division quickly saw the wisdom in surrender.
Albania was thus quickly liberated and Spanish marines resupplied, awaiting new orders. Next operational aim was to liberate Rhodos from Fascist hands.
Italy was being strangled slowly but steadily. It also seemed meaningful to send spies to asses their supply situation. Something, other than mere stupidity, seemed to be paralyzing the nation. But such decisions could wait for next year.
It was speculated that relations between Mussolini and Hitler were not quite this cordial anymore.
