Soviets

Following France and at the same time as Italy and Germany, the Soviet Union began sending aid to the Republican Army. Under the direct supervision of Klimenti Voroshilov, a special group was created known as "X section," its role was to organise and deliver supplies to Spain. Men, weapons and material were soon sent by them under the secret code name "X operation."

On September 26th, the Soviet vessel "Neva" arrived at the military port of Cartagena, delivering amongst other weapons 15 T26B tanks ,crews and mechanics under the command of a Captain V. Denkos. The tanks remained at Cartagena for a day at the weapons depot, and on the 28th were driven to Archena. On the 25th Spanish Lieutenant Rafael Sanchez Paredes had opened the headquarters and the armoured forces school with the remaining staff from the "Regimiento Ligero de Carros de Combate no 1" (Light Tank Regiment).

During the following days, Denkos and his men began the Spanish crews' training and the T26B fitting. The crew conscription was mainly from Madrid and Barcelona taxi, bus, and lorry drivers as requested in the declaration of Joaquin Quintana Gomez, Gathering an initial group of 75 men at the end of the first October fortnight.

Another Shipment

A larger second delivery arrived at Cartagena on October the 15th on board the ship "Komsomel". Fifty T26B were delivered along with 14 officers and around 80 specialists, all commanded by Colonel Semion Krivoshein and Commander Pavl Arman. The next day the Soviet ship "Stari-Bolschevik" landed at Cartagena with 15 BA 6 armoured cars. On the 17th, the vehicles were taken by train to Archena and the First tank company of the Republic was born. The company, under Pavl Arman, left on the 26th October for Alcacete and Madrid.

During October, other deliveries were made by Soviet ships. On the 27th the "Kurak" landed 12 FA-1's at Cartegena, on the 29th the "Karl Lepin" landed 20 BA6's at Alicante with the "Transbalt" delivering 12 FA-1's at Cartagena on the same day.

Up to the end of the month another 40 T26B's were landed in Spanish east coast ports by Spanish or Soviet ships in about 12 different deliveries among them were the Soviet ships "Neva" (second trip ), "Kursk", "Siddovich," "Georgi Dimitroff," and the "Jruso."

As a result, from September to October the Soviets sent 105 T26B's, 35 BA6's, and 24 FA-1's.

GERMANS

The German support to the nationalists was agreed to on July 26th at Bayreuth, following a request by General Franco. This support as far as armoured vehicles goes was initiated 3 months after the start of the war with the organisation of two tank companies with volunteer staff known as "Panzer Regiment 6". On September 28th, 180 officers, NCO's, instuctors, and mechanics with 41 Panzer IA's, 10 Bussing Nag 80, 18 tank transporters and trailers (sd.ah115), light cars , motorbikes ,weapons and equipment under the command of Lt. Colonel Ritter Von Thoma left on the Spanish ships "Pasajes" and "Sirgenti" bound for Seville arriving on the 7th of October.

This unit became known as "Panzer Gruppe Drohne," part of the Imker group which controlled the German army units in Spain. It was taken by rail from Seville to the tank base at Las Herguijuelas.

On the 27th October a tank battalion was created at Caceres using men from the Spanish infantry regiment Argel No 7, these men were then sent to be Las Herguijuelas to be introduced to their new German vehicles.

On October the 27th the unit mobilised, with the headquarters unit and first two tank companies being sent to Santa Cruz de Retamar and the anti-tank company being ordered to Ouismondo. On the 29th of October the first tank company and anti tank company were assigned to Lt. Col. Francisco Delgado's Column in Mentrida with the HQ and first tank company remaining in Santa Crux.

More AFVs in SCW

Part IV: Soviets and Germans
Part III: Foreign Material
Part II: Bilbao Armoured Car
Part I: Beginning of the War