One of the aims of the new Republican government was the reform of the Spanish Armed Forces, especially the Army. The Army was the most political and corrupt service and it was imperative that it be made into a modern and efficient force subject to the will of civil authorities. Starting in 1933 and continuing through 1935 the army was completely restructured. The Army was reduced by 34 infantry regiments, 12 light infantry battalions, 4 mountain battalions and 18 cavalry regiments. Apparatus for mobilization and expansion of the army was created.

In a reform as much political as military the office of Captain- General was abolished, as was the rank of Lieutenant General. The number of divisions was reduced to 11, eight infantry and one cavalry in Spain and two in Morocco. 74 generals and 3,361 other officers were retired. But although there were about half as many units in the Spanish Army in 1936 as there were in 1931, there were only 17,859 fewer enlisted men. The remaining units were actually up to strength and TO&E. The Navy scrapped old ships and a number of new vessels were started.

Some new units made their appearance. Spain's few armored vehicles were concentrated in two armored and one armored car regiment. Six machine gun battalions, a bicycle battalion, and two antiaircraft battalions we re formed. Two guard battalions appeared to take the place of the old Royal Guard, a Presidential Guard and the Ministry of War Battalion.

The Army's air component became an independent Air Force, new aircraft were ordered and bases constructed. Service outside Spain was made voluntary, making the garrison of Morocco an all volunteer professional force.

But Spain was experiencing intense social upheavals in the five years of the Republic (as was most of Europe) and conservative elements of Spanish society felt threatened. Further, the armed forces resented the manner in which the reorganizations and reforms had been carried out, needed as they were. Monarchist and other conservative officers were dropped and replaced with commanders considered to be more friendly to the new government.

With amazing insensitivity, all merit promotions gained under the Primo regime were canceled, thereby demoting many officers promoted during the Moroccan campaign, the only combat veterans in the Spanish Army. When the elections of February 1936 were largely won by socialist parties, a significant part of the officer corps entered into a great conspiracy to overthrow the government of Spain.

The actual coup d' etat occurred in Morocco on July 17th 1936, garrisons revolting the next day in Spain proper. But the coup failed in much of Spain, loyal troops overpowering rebels in most of the large cities and much of the east remaining firmly in government hands. Many of the Navy's vessels were seized by the ships' crews and their officers killed or imprisoned. What Spain had then, instead of yet another Army takeover, was a civil war, with the armed forces divided between the two sides.

More Spanish Army

Introduction
Army on the Eve of the Civil War
Organization of Spanish Army 1936
Distribution of Spanish Army July 1936
Disposition and Characteristics of Spanish Air Force and Navy 1939