Chapter XI: For the defence of Democracy
After the government received the tragic news of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Chancellor Wels decided to convene an emergency meeting with members of the government to decide the position to be taken by Germany in relation to the conflict. On the one hand, most of the members of the Zentrum were betting on a policy of non-intervention and neutrality, while the SPD believed it was necessary to defend Spanish democracy but with disagreements on how to do it. Outside the Government, the right wing parties expressed their support for the military coup, while the KPD called for direct military intervention to restore order in Spain. Finally, and after a series of private meetings between Wels and Crispien, the chancellor declared that "Germany would defend the Spanish Republic to prevent the nightmare of fascism in another European country", requesting the approval of the Reichstag to this statement.
After intense debate, most members of the KPD and the SPD voted affirmatively, plus some left-wing parliamentarians of the Zentrum led by Minister Stegerwald. The decision would create some controversy among more conservative sectors of society, but both the Chancellor and the Foreign Minister were convinced that fascism had to be stopped at this point to avoid greater conflicts in the future. However, the Chancellor promised that "in any case the nation will not intervene directly in this conflict," and after a series of meetings with the High Command, it was decided that the aid would would consist in sending several squadrons of bombers and interceptors, a brigade of tanks and substantial logistical help to alleviate the economic hardship on the Republican Government.
A German pilot before departing to Spain
Unaware of the danger that fascism posed to the stability of Europe, the governments of the United Kingdom and France avoided the question and denied any support to the Republican side, which in the eyes of most European countries made them appear as mere hypocrites and false democrats. Different would be the response of the Soviet Union, which would send materials and volunteers to the Republic and of Italy, who stated its support for the coup and sent a corps of volunteers and an air squadron. Fortunately, such troops and air forces would be deployed in southern Spain and not in the central area, and no direct combat between German and Italian forces would occur.
Mussolini invaded Ethiopia recently
It would not be the only action contrary to international law taken by Mussolini, who announced that the war between Italy and Ethiopia was a reality. Most western countries condemned the action following a complaint from Haile Selassie to the League of Nations and broke their trade agreements with Italy, but the fascist troops penetrated the Ethiopian territory and got their first victories near Adwa. The world kept watching in horror how war extended all around, specially after Japan used a border incident to declare war on Chiang Kai Shek´s China, who refused to surrender even after the Japanese capture of Beijing.
A Chinese propaganda poster against the Japanese invasion
In the rest of the world, Greece suffered a coup that placed Metaxas in power, while Roosevelt was elected for a second term in the United States ,thus legitimizing his doctrine of the "New Deal". In the UK, the monarch was forced to abdicate due to a controversial marriage and was succeeded by George VI, while the Soviet Union announced the approval of the "World's most democratic Constitution" despite the alarming rumors about terrible reprisals and summary trials against its own population and military commanders.
The intervention in the Spanish Civil War had its effects on the diplomatic side, as various nations began to see Germany as the only country truly committed to the defense of democratic values and principles of the League of Nations. This was the case of Czechoslovakia, who through his ambassador probed the possibility of entering the Axis. After a series of intense meetings between the diplomatic corps of both countries the Munich Pact was finally signed, according to which Czechoslovakia would relax border controls and would approve a special status for German immigrants in its territory with tax and economic benefits for their return to Germany or to ease their integration in Czechoslovakia. Germany had a new ally and the Axis was becoming the dominant force in continental Europe. For its part, the contacts with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia continued, although the King was still unsure of the need to enter the German sphere.
Czechoslovakia has entered the Axis
The Wehrmacht rearmament was beginning, and the first fully equipped divisions were placed under the command of General von Stülpnagel in Saarland. Similarly, Rear Admiral von Nordeck received its first submarines, which were deployed at the naval base of Kiel, while the Army looked forward after receiving the new models of armored vehicles ready to be assigned under the command of Heinz Guderian. The Wehrmacht kept investigating new components and doctrines, such as specialized amphibious troops, new naval transports and a new type of aircraft escort to protect the bombers.
New troops and ships arrive
In Spain, the fascist troops regrouped in the south of the country and managed to take Cordoba, connecting the southern front with the center of the country and its capital Burgos. After a series of horrific bombings and and the takeover of nearby locations, General Mola launched the final assault against Madrid with the intention of breaking the Republican defense and taking control of the capital. The first wave of attacks seemed unstoppable and fascist troops managed to enter the capital, but President Azaña refused to leave Madrid and gave the order to defend the city at all costs. Such a decision would be providential, as he managed to raise the morale of the Republican troops, who organized a strong defense of the city around the Puente de los Franceses and all the Manzanares river, where Mola troops would be finally defeated after weeks of intense battles. The capital was saved, and the fascists were forced to retreat after the Republican capture of Segovia and the general counterattack launched by generals Rojo and Lister with the invaluable help of German aviation. In late 1936, the Republican victory seemed near.
The defence of Madrid was corageous and key for the republican cause
But again the German diplomacy kept an ace up his sleeve. In early 1937, Arthur Crispien appeared before the League of Nations and called for the holding of a plebiscite in Austria, "undeniable according to the principle of self determination recognized by this organization." Despite some protests, neither the English nor the French government managed to find a valid reason for refusal, and fixed the date of January 22th for the referendum. The result would leave no doubt, for 99.73% of the Austrian population decided to vote "Yes" and join the Reich, ending the unjust separation forced by the Treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. On January 25th, German troops entered Vienna and Austrian troops marched in Munich, symbolizing total union between Germanic people, and were applauded by a happy and jubilant crowd .
Finally, Austrian and German brothers are no longer separated