Dios, Patria, Rey

(Carlists)

by Jaime de Miguel

When I saw Abanderado's request to type a few lines on Carlists, I realized that it was a very difficult task to decide whether writing on the Carlist history and then go back to the XIX century, or if to say something on the political and militia facts that push them with Franco side, or to discuss on the political aspects of Tradicionalism (the party is called Comunion Tradicionalista); and what about the 1937 Unification Decree melting Carlism and Falange and winding up both political movements?.

The main task and probably the most interesting would be to write about each Carlist unit and their military efforts, but this was something that had already been done, (only in Spanish) and that could be followed in certain books. Finally I thought it would be better to go through the wide bibliography on Carlist subject trying to give clues and tips to our readers.

If you are not too familiar with Spanish history, and try to know who were those SCW red beret fellows, fiercely bold and full of courage, often guided by armed priests, absolute fanatics of their catholic faith and politically ultraconservative (God, Country, King, Own Laws, and Tradition), and supporters of a XIX century monarchy branch, there are quite a few sources and books to review: Servicio Historico Militar (Madrid and Avila), Archivo Historico Nacional Seccion Guerra Civil (Salamanca), and Archivo de la Milicia Nacional (Madrid?). Other archives would be Archivo General de Navarra, and the private archive of the family Fal Conde-Melchor Ferrer, and from the Conde de Rodezno. (Fal Conde was the Carlist leader before and during the war and was forced to ostracism and exile by Franco).

Among the best books on this matter: "El voluntariado de Navarra en el Ejercito de Franco" by J. Arostegui SISTEMA 1982; "El Requete" by L. Redondo and J. de Zavala ALPHA 1957; "Carlismo y Contrarevolucion en Espana 1931-1939" by M. Blinkhorn, Cambridge Univ. and CRITICA 1979. But the most interesting are the SCW series made at the Servicio Historico Militar by Martinez Bande and as a "absolute must" the militia monographies: "Las milicias Nacionales" (two vol.) by R. Casas de la Vega EDITORA NACIONAL 1977, and the only one still available: "Los combatientes Carlistas en la guerra civil espanola 1936-1939" (two vol.) by Julio Arostegui APORTES XIX 1991. [Note that this Publisher is politically involved with the Carlist Movement and has a very wide and worthly bibliography and magazines on the subject. If wishing a catalogue: c/Fernandez de los Rios 19, 28015 Madrid]. Many tips for this article are taken from this latter work.

These two books on the militia are without doubt the best compilation on each and every carlist fighting unit with a deep investigation on their forces, fronts they fought, with which other units they built the great units, major and minor battles, heroic exploits, all officers names and origins (many were army officers not involved with carlists), etc.

For a detailed history with survivors personal point of view and a day by day war diary there are three or four books on certain Tercios: 1000 dias del Tercio de Navarra" by E. Herrera Ed. Nacional 1974; "Tercio de Lacar" 1975, by Carmelo Revilla, an Alferez Provisional from such unit giving absolute description of that Tercio activities, forces, and so on. "Historia del Tercio de Requetes de Nuestra Sra. de Montserrat" by S. Nonell.

And in English: "Mine were of trouble" by Peter Kemp, London, CASELL & CO 1957 (fought in Tercio de Begona of Vizcaya), there's a 1975 Spanish version.

Figures of Carlist militia have been widely discussed according to different sources. Forces increased smoothly from around 12,300 men at the beginning of the war up to 23,000 at their biggest strength (all nationalist militia amount around 100,000). Casualties were heavy and reinforces came mainly from carlist depots, other Tercios, army units, or other militia as catholic JAP, and right wing parties like Renovacion Espanola or the Legionarios de Albinana.

Hereby find a reproduction of the 42 Carlist units, plus a bunch of minor ones, as per J. Arostegui's book above mentioned. Note that he mentions many more in his masterwork, (e.g. "Tercio de Pamplona, Guias de Navarra...) which either had no virtual life or respond to pre-war or first days groups melted in the columns, forming later the backbone of future Tercio companies.

Carlist Fighting Units

Tercios

NAVARRA AREA:

BASQUE PROVINCES

ASTURIAS AREA

Covadonga

ARAGON REGION

CATALUNA AREA

Nuestra Senora de Montserrat

CASTILLA LEON REGIONS

ANDALUCIA AREA

OTHER UNITS without special geographical connection:

MINOR UNITS

NAVARRA

BASQUE PROVINCES

Companies of Requetes de Alava

ARAGON

CASTILLA AND LEON

ANDALUCIA

CANARY ISLANDS

Expeditionary Company of Voluntarios de las Palrnas

GALICIA

Legion Gallega

REARGUARD UNITS

NAVARRA

BASQUE PROVINCES

Tercio de San Marcial (Guipuzcoa)

ARAGON

Tercio de San Jorge (Zaragoza)

ANDALUCLA

Tercio de la Virgen de las Angustias (Granada)

UNITS OF DOUBTFUL EXISTANCE OR THAT DID EXIST BUT ARE NOT CARLIST

Existing but Non Carlist:

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© Copyright 1997 by Rolfe Hedges
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