The Quick Guide
to the Spanish Civil War

Stages of the War

by Greg Novak

July 16 to November 1, 1936

During this phase of the war, brigade-sized columns of both sides fanned out across the countryside in order to secure as much territory as possible. Most of the open-field warfare took place at this time. Both sides ended up digging in to secure the areas they held.

The Battle for Madrid: November 1, 1937 to March 18, 1937

The Nationalists first attempted to take Madrid, then cut it off from its supply lines. Actions were fought in the University City, on the Corunne Road, in the Jarama Valley to the south and finally at Guadalajara to the northeast. The Republican forces were able to hold off the Nationalists.

Both sides started the buildup of forces during this period, as brigades were formed and then divisions. Foreign aid arrived, as well as the CTV, Legion Condor and International Brigades, and Soviet tanks and aircraft all saw service during this time.

The War in the North Part I: March 31 to June 30, 1937

The Nationalists gave up their attacks on Madrid and shifted forces to the north. Their target was the Basque city of Bilbao in an attempt to crush the Republican enclave there. Cut off from the rest of Republican Spain and short of weapons and supplies, the Basques were forced back, and Bilbao fell.

The Battle of Brunete: July 1937

The Republicans attempted to attack out of Madrid and push the Nationalists away from the city. The Nationalist lines were pushed back, but they counterattacked in turn and drove the Republicans back.

The War in the North-Part II: August 1937

The Nationalist Army of the North continued to attack the Republican enclave along the Northern coast of Spain. Though the Basques had a large army on paper, the continued lack of weapons and supplies handicapped their efforts. By the end of the month, the Basques surrendered to the CTV.

The Battle for Saragossa: August to September, 1937

The Republican Army of the East attacked the Nationalist troops protecting the city of Saragossa. The Army was made up of troops from Catalonia, and was not as well armed or supported as the troops about Madrid. The attack gained some ground but was unable to take its objectives.

The War in the North Part III: September to October, 1937

The Nationalist Army moved against the last Republican stronghold in the north, the city of Gijon. The Austurians fought well, but again lacked weapons and supplies. By the end of September, the entire northern area, including its factories and mines, had passed under the control of the Nationalist forces.

The Battle for Teruel: December 1937 to February 1938

In an attempt to regain the initiative, the Republicans attacked the provincial capital of Teruel. The city was cut off in mid-December, but the garrison did not surrender until January 8. A Nationalist counterattack failed to save the garrison, but slowly pushed the Republicans back to their starting line. This campaign, fought in a mountainous area in mid- winter, was perhaps the hardest-fought campaign of the war. Its effect was to wear down the Republican forces in the area.

The Drive to the Sea: March to June 1938

The Nationalist Army launched the major offensive of the war and drove deep into the Republican-held territory. Using the south bank of the River Ebro to cover their left flank as they advanced, the Nationalists reached the Mediterranean Sea on April 15, thus cutting the Republic in two. An attempt to drive south and take Valencia was halted by the Republicans, but major damage had been done to the Republican Army.

The Battle of the Ebro: July to November 1938

In an attempt to reunite the country, Republican forces carried out a combat crossing of the Ebro against the Nationalist units left to screen the area. Though some progress was made, the Nationalists were able to halt the attacks. The Republicans dug in to hold their ground while the Nationalists attempted to regain the line of the river. Facing Nationalist air superiority, and with their back to river, the Republicans fell back across the River Ebro.

The Fall of Catalonia: December 1938 to January 1939

In a Christmas offensive, the Nationalists turned againstCatalonia, and with the Republican forces weakened by the cost of the Battle of the Ebro, drove into Catalonia. By the end of January, the remains of the Republican forces were fleeing across the border into France, while Barcelona fell on the 26th.

Final Campaign: March 1939

Faced with mounting pressure from the Nationalists and reduced to a single enclave, the Republic attempted to make terms. After an intergovernmental dispute, the peace faction won, only to surrender on Franco's terms. On April 1, 1939, the Civil War ended.

Quick Guide to the Spanish Civil War

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© Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak.
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