From the viewpoint of the Spanish Government, the Army rebellion of July 17-18 was a failure. While northern Spain had risen for the Nationalist cause, the government retained control of most of the southern part of the country. The rebels' base of power was in Morocco, but the Navy and most of the Air Force stood with the government and so could isolate that area. Even within the Army, the following units remained loyal to the government: Divisional Headquarters: 1st, 3rd, 4th. Infantry Regiments: 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th, 8th,9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 34th, 37th. Mountain Battalions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th. Cavalry Regiments: 3rd, 4th, 8th. Light Artillery Regiments: 1st, 2nd, 5th. 6th, 7th, and 8th. Sapper Battalions: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th. Other Formations: 2nd heavy Artillery, 3rd Heavy Artillery, Horse Artillery, 1st Tank Regiment, lst AA Groupe, Automatic Weapons Battalion. From looking at the paramilitary forces, the outlook was even better. Civil Guard: 108 companies throughout the Government Zone. Carabineros: 54 companies throughout the Government Zone. Assault Guard: 11 Riot Corps Companies. In terms of numbers, the situation was as follows: Type Government Nationalist Peninsula Army 55,200 62,300 Paramilitary 40,500 27,000 Air Force 3,200 2,200 Army of Africa - 24,000 Totals 98,900 115,500 In terms of quality, while the Peninsular Army was no match for the Army of Africa, it could stand up to the other elements of the Peninsular Army now serving with the rebels. The Civil Guard, Carabineers and Assault Guard were the equalizing force for the government to the Army of Africa, as rank and file of those formations were filled with veterans of the African campaigns. The majority of the officer class was still loyal to the government. In short, the government, since it still held Madrid, the center of the Spanish nation, held the upper hand. Perhaps because of the notion that the rebellion was all but over, the government failed to take advantage of its assets. Throughout the war there was continual infighting between the groups making up the Republic, and a concern that one should jockey for power while the war was going on so as to be in a good position once it had ended. For this reason the paramilitary forces were never used as a source for a military cadre. The Civil Guard was mistrusted as it had served prior governments, and was viewed as a source of oppression by many of the political parties forming the government. The Assault Guards and Carabineers were both increased in size and strength, but were used to garrison rear areas and used as a political police. By 1938, the Assault Guards numbered 40,000, while the Carabineers had 30,000 men under arms. Throughout the war, these units only saw combat as the result of Nationalist drives into Republican areas and were never used as part of the Popular Army. The president of the Republic, in an attempt to cut the rank and file out from under the Nationalist side, issued an official proclamation removing all members of the military from any obligation to obey their commanding officers. The proclamation had little effect on the Nationalist forces, but destroyed the loyal elements of the Peninsular Army. Units which had already taken to the field toblock any Nationalist drive on Madrid disappeared overnight as rank and file left their commands. Troops in barracks and supply depots abandoned their posts as well, and allowed anyone who wished to help themselves to the material on hand. Though some regular army units remained in the field, it was as company- and platoon-sized formations attached to other units. This proclamation had an unforeseen effect on the Navy. An estimated 70% of the officers of the Navy were killed or imprisoned by their crews. At a time when the Navy needed to blockade Spanish Morocco to prevent the passage of troops and supplies to the mainland, major elements of the fleet were unable to put to sea. Army and Navy officers who had remained loyal to the government found themselves under suspicion and unable to command anyone. To replace the Army as the defender of the Republic, "Columns" of Militia were formed from different political parties, areas, workers and other groups. Named for places, famous people, political parties and concepts, and armed with rifles and whatever else they could find, the columns were self organized. Homemade armored cars and trucks were built in the industrial areas controlled by the Republic, and used to supplement these columns (maximum of one vehicle per column). At full strength, actual columns were to have the following organization: Militia Column Troop Quality: Green Morale: (see notes below) Headquarters, with: 1 command infantry stand 6 Centuries, each with: 3 infantry stands Notes 1. The best way to build these units would be to roll 3d6 for the total number of stands within each unit. Subtract one stand for use as the command infantry stand, and organize the others in six centuries as wished. For morale, I suggest that the first time the unit is fired at, roll a 1d6 and add 4 for its morale number. 2. When rolling up columns and commanders, reroll for Political Alignment. Columns do not have to follow orders unless they are issued by their column's command stand. Die Roll Alignment 1 CNT-Anarchist 2 POUM - Marxist 3 PPR - Republic 4 UGT - Socialist 5 ERC - Catalon 6 PCE - Communists 3. In addition to the roll for total number of stands, I suggest that one roll 1d10 on the following table for additional assets belonging to the column. (This table is based on information found in the Official Spanish History of the War as to the make-up of actual columns.) Die Roll Item 1 1 MMG stand 2 4 medium trucks 3 1 75L27 field gun, limber, and crew (trained); 1d6 ammo 4 1 MMG stand 5 1 med. truck or 1 ton artillery ammo (player's choice) 6 1 armored truck or car (homemade) 7 1 MMG stand 8 1 105L20 howitzer, limber, crew, 1d6-2 tons of ammo 9 4 med. trucks, 1 MMG stand 10 Reroll twice, reroll any additional roll of 10 These columns were then formed into "columns" to go out and fight the Nationalist foe. Command over several columns would be carried out by a column commander, whose force should be limited to a command infantry stand and a light truck, with a roll for political alignment. As out of line as such a system might sound for CDII, it is the only accurate way to portray the first few months of the Spanish Civil War for the Republican side. Loyal officers assigned to work with these columns often found themselves viewed as advisors at best, and all too often were ignored. Orders could not be issued until they had been debated, and a show of hands was often needed before they could be carried out. Orders agreed to could be challenged on the battlefield, and a new debate held if the unit so wished. In the event of a failure, any military officers present were singled out as scapegoats, and were imprisoned or even shot after a drumhead court martial. Many of the officers who had been loyal to the Republic found themselves fleeing to the Nationalist side in order to save their lives. Though August and September of 1936, the militia columns gained experience at a cost in numbers. By October 1, represent a militia column with: Militia Column Troop Quality: Trained or Regular Morale: 7 to 8 Headquarters, with: 1 command infantry stand 6 Centuries, each with: 1 infantry stand if Regular 2 infantry stands if Trained The one exception to this rule was found in Madrid. There the PCE had its headquarters and most of its followers located in the capital city. The PCE viewed the war as part of the ongoing struggle to make Spain Communist, and so saw the need to have a disciplined military force at its disposal after the war was over. When the government of Spain called for volunteer columns, the PCE responded by forming the 5th Regiment. The origin of the name of the unit is open to dispute, as one source claims it was the fifth unit to be formed in Madrid, while another claims it was so named because the 1st to 4th Regular Infantry Regiments were part of the Madrid garrison, and it was intended to be organized on the same level. Regardless, the 5th Regiment soon became a multi-battalion formation noted for its discipline and training. Volunteers had to take an enlistment oath that emphasized need for discipline and loyalty. Officers of the Army were sought out by the PCE and offered commissions in the units of the 5th Regiment. Those who joined noted the difference between it and the other units, and word quickly spread among the officers that this was the unit to join. Here, if one issued an order, it was obeyed. It should be noted that commissars were about to serve with all units of the 5th Regiment, and that all officers were vetted before being allowed to join. The 5th Regiment even had its own band, the ex City Band of Madrid, which was paid by the PCE to provide suitable music for the unit. Among many citizens of Madrid and Spain, the 5th Regiment was viewed as the example of how all elements of the Spanish nation should unify and face the uprising, and the popularity of the PCE grew as a result. Units of the 5th Battalion had the following organization: 5th Regiment Battalion Troop Quality: Regular Morale: 9 Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 command infantry stand 4 Infantry Companies, each with: 3 infantry stands Machine Gun Company, with: 1, later 3, MMG stands Notes 1. A total of 28 different "battalions" served as part of the 5th Regiment. 2. Units of the 5th Regiment were the first to receive weapons from the shipments sent by Russia, and were better armed as the result than other units. The ban on the sale of weapons to all parties in the Spanish Civil War imposed by the other countries of Europe had some effect on the fortunes of the Republican side, but not to the level often claimed. Weapons arrived from France on a sporadic basis, depending on the political party in control at the time, and other countries sent arms as well. What European counties did not provide, the Soviet Union was willing to provide in large numbers. In addition, the Republicans held the industrial part of Spain, and were able to build and rebuild some of their needed weapons. As the Battle for Madrid started in late October, reinforcements began to arrive in Spain for the Republican cause. The first battalions of the International Brigades were formed from foreign volunteers, and the first shiploads of supplies from the Soviet Union were unloaded in Republican ports. Realizing that the Republican Army needed to be rebuilt, the Republican government ordered the organization of a new Popular Army to be built from the various semiindependent existing formations. The Popular Army was to be built on the basis of infantry divisions built of two or three "mixed brigades." The brigades were to have four infantry battalions with some supporting arms, with additional weapons held at the divisional weapons. On paper a Popular Army Infantry Division was to have: Infantry Division Troop Quality: Regular to Veteran Morale: 8 Divisional Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff telephone wagon Divisional Cavalry Squadron, with: 1 command cavalry stand 1 recon cavalry stand 1 cavalry stand or 1 command BA-6 armored car 2 recon FAI or BA-20 armored cars Divisional Services, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 mounted command stand 2 support stands 2 baggage wagons Supply Columns, with: 1 mounted command stand 2 support stands 3 general supply wagons 3 Mixed Infantry Brigades, each with: Headquarters Company, with 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff telephone wagon 1 recon cavalry stand Brigade Trains, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 baggage wagon 1 general supply wagon 1 field kitchen wagon 1 support stand Brigade Engineer Company, with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 1 supply wagon Brigade Support Battery, with: 1 gun crew stand 1 45L29 infantry gun 1 limber or 1 81mm mortar stand (ds) 1 wagon or 1 gun crew stand 1 37LA5 or 25L72 AT gun 1 limber 4 Infantry Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command infantry stand 4 Infantry Companies, each with: 3 infantry stands Machine Gun Company, with: 3 MMG stands Divisional Artillery, with: 2 Groupes, each with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 mounted spotter stand 1 staff telephone wagon Groupe Trains, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 baggage wagon 1 general supply wagon 1 field kitchen wagon 1 support stand 3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 light field gun or howitzer 1 limber Divisional AT Battery, with: 1 gun crew stand 1 light truck 1 37LA5 antitank gun Divisional Machine Gun Company, (post 1937), with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 command infantry stand 4 Machine Gun Companies, with: 3 MMG stands Notes 1. Units were all too often equipped on the basis of political reliability. Units favored by the PCE would have a full establishment. Units considered as less reliable would have three infantry battalions per brigade, with one less stand per company, as well as lack supporting weapons, engineers and other services. 2. Battalions were to be at one point numbered throughout the Popular Army so that the 1st Brigade would have the 1st to 4th Infantry Battalions, 2nd Brigade the 5th to 8th, etc. This format was followed in some cases, but not always. Some battalions, especially those of the ERC and the CNT, preferred to be known by name. Infantry brigades were numbered throughout the force structure as a whole, but assigned to divisions in a random order. 3. Field guns in use would include the same types as used by the pre-war Spanish Army, as well as weapons sent by the Soviet Union. These included 75L27, 76.2L29, 77L35, 105L20 and 105L12 Mountain Howitzers. All weapons of a group would be of the same type. 4. The Basque enclave was very short of heavy weapons. Basque battalions should have one MMG stand. Basque brigades have no supporting weapons, while the Divisional Artillery should be limited to one groupe. The Basques did build a number of light tanks called the Euskadi at Bilboa, so add one vehicle to the headquarters of each Basque Brigade. Infantry Divisions were numbered 1 to 75, as well as the 1st to 6th Basque. The Republican corps were to have three infantry divisions as well as supporting elements, but what existed on paper did not always exist in the field. Among the organizations found in the field attached to a Republican corps were: Sapper Battalion, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 command engineer stand 1 baggage wagon 1 general supply wagon 1 field kitchen wagon 1 support stand 4 Sapper Companies, each with: 4 engineer stands 1 supply wagon Fortification Battalion, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command infantry stand 1 baggage wagon 1 general supply wagon 1 field kitchen wagon 1 support stand 4 Fortification Companies, each with: 4 Pioneer stands 1-4 Artillery Groupes, each with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 mounted spotter stand 1 staff telephone wagon Groupe Trains, with: 1 mounted command stand 1 baggage wagon 1 general supply wagon 1 field kitchen wagon 1 support stand 3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 field gun or howitzer 1 limber Notes 1. Weapons in use would include the same types as used by the prewar Spanish Army, as well as weapons sent by the Soviet Union. These included 107L28 Field Guns, 122LI2 Field Howitzers, 152 Field Howitzers and 1521,27 Gun Howitzer. All weapons of a groupe would be of the same type. Armoured Units The most noted attachments at the corps and even divisional level were those of armored units. Starting in October of 1936, Soviet tanks and armored cars arrived in Spain. Before the war was over, an estimated 300+ T-26 tanks, 50+ BT-5s and 100+ armored cars arrived in Spain. In addition, the Republicans built a number of armored cars using the Soviet vehicles as models. Soviet advisors and complete tank crews were brought to Spain to man the vehicles. By mid-1937 there were 12 tank battalions and 4 armored car battalions serving in the Republican Army. In October of that year, the 1st Armored Division was formed with the following organization: 1st Armored Division Troop Quality: Regular 1937 to Experienced 1938 Morale: 8 Divisional Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1st Armored Brigade, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1 recon FAI armored car Brigade Supply and Maintenance Company, with: 1 command stand 2 medium supply trucks with trailers 1 medium parts truck with trailer 1 medium truck with field kitchen 2 support stands 1st Armored Car Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command BA-10 armored car 1 supply truck 3 Armored Car Companies, each with: 1 BA-6 recon armored car 1 FAI recon armored car 1st Tank Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command T-26 1 supply truck 3 Tank Companies, each with: 2T-26 tanks 2nd Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 3rd Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 4th Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 2nd Armored Brigade, with: Headquarters Company, with: as 1st Armored Brigade Brigade Supply and Maintenance Company, with: as 1st Armored Brigade 2nd Armored Car Battalion, with: as 1st Armored Car Battalion 5th Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 6th Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 7th Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion 8th Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Tank Battalion Fast Tank Regiment, with: Headquarters Company, with: as 1st Armored Brigade Regimental Supply and Maintenance Company, with: as 1st Armored Brigade 1st Fast Tank Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 supply truck 3 Tank Companies, each with: 2 BT-5 tanks 2nd Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Fast Tank Battalion 3rd Tank Battalion, with: as 1st Fast Tank Battalion While this unit existed on paper, it was not used in the field as such, and lacked all supporting arms and weapons. As can be seen below, common practice was to assign a tank battalion to thse corps that needed help. The few times that armor was used en masse, problems in command and control prevented it from being very useful. On the battlefield, the superiority of the Soviet weapons over the Nationalist's German and Italian tanks was such that a bounty was paid for each T-26 captured by a Nationalist unit. For the Republican offensive at Brunete in July of 1937, the following two formations took part. (The Spanish Official History rarely gives brigade makeups for the Republican side.) V Corps 11th Infantry Division, with: 1st Mixed Brigade 9th Mixed Brigade 100th Mixed Brigade 46th Division, with: 10th Mixed Brigade 101st Mixed Brigade 35th Division, with: XI Mixed Brigade 32nd Mixed Brigade 108th Mixed Brigade Corps Troops, with: 1 Cavalry Regiment, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command cavalry stand 3 Cavalry Squadrons, each with: 2 cavalry stands 7 45mm infantry gun batteries 2 76.2mm groups (3 batteries each) 107mm battery 105mm group (3 batteries) Sapper battalion Tank Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Armored Car Company (attached) 1 BA-6 recon armored car 1 FAI recon armored car 3 Tank Companies, each with: 2 T-26 tanks 2 Truck Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command infantry stand 4 Truck Companies, each with: 10 medium trucks XVIII Corps 34th Infantry Division, with: 3rd Mixed Brigade 68th Mixed Brigade 16th Mixed Brigade 10th Division, with: 2nd Mixed Brigade 105th Mixed Brigade X Division, with: XIII Mixed Brigade XV Mixed Brigade Corps Troops, with: Cavalry Regiment 6 45mm batteries 2 76.2mm groups 107mm group Sapper battalion Tank Battalion as before 2 Truck Battalions as before Later in the war, for the Republican attack on Teruel in December, 1937, the following troops took part: XXII Corps 11th Infantry Division 25th Infantry Division, with: 1st Mixed Brigade 9th Mixed Brigade 100th Brigade 35th Division, with: 116th Mixed Brigade 117th Mixed Brigade 118th Brigade Corps Troops, with: T-26 Tank Battalion Armored Car Battalion 3 groups artillery Antiaircraft Group, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 medium supply truck 2 Heavy Batteries, each with: 1 76.2L53 AA gun 1 medium truck 1 gun crew stand (ds) 3 Light Batteries, each with: 1 20L70 AA gun 1 gun crew stand 1 light truck XX Corps 40th Infantry Division, with: 82nd Mixed Brigade 84th Mixed Brigade 87th Brigade 68th Infantry Division, with: 218th Mixed Brigade 219th Mixed Brigade 220th Brigade Corps Troops, with: Tank Battalion (BT-5) 2 groups artillery (76.2 field guns) Armored Car Battalion Antiaircraft Group, with: as above XVIII Corps 34th Infantry Division, with: 3rd Mixed Brigade 68th Mixed Brigade 16th Brigade 64th Division, with: 16th Mixed Brigade 81st Mixed Brigade 83rd Brigade Corps Troops, with: Tank Battalion (T-26) 4 groups artillery, with: (one 105, 155, 2 unknown) Antiaircraft Group, with: as above The failure of the Republican troops to win the war was not a failure on the battlefield. The weapons and manpower were similar to that of the Nationalists, and in some cases, even better. The war was lost in the council chambers of the Republican governments. On the battlefield, don't be surprised if the Republicans do well--they have the ability! Quick Guide to the Spanish Civil War Groups and Factions Stages of the War Jumbo Map of Spain (slow: 188K) Pre-War Spanish Military: Peninsular Army Pre-War Spanish Military: Army of Africa Republican Army Nationalist Army The International Brigades German Forces in Spain SCW CD Charts: Republican (very slow: 389K) SCW CD Charts: Nationalist (very slow: 385K) SCW CD Charts: Aircraft (slow: 51K) Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly # 7 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com