AIR FORCES

The Spanish Air Force, Servicio Aeronautica Militar, had about 300 aircraft in July of 1936, with another 93 in the Naval Air Arm. Very little of this material was of any real military use, the best aircraft being the 27 Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers of the Aeronautica Naval. In operable condition there were about 110 Breguet XIX light bombers, 70 Nieuport-52 fighters, and 10 Fokker VIIB/3m three engine bomber/ transports.

Both the Air Force and the Navy operated examples of the Dornier DO- 15 Wal flying boat bomber, with 18 between them. The Navy also had some 40 Savoia S-62 single engine patrol aircraft. There were about 80 transport aircraft in civilian hands in Spain and its territories, 20 or so were multi-engine aircraft including Douglas DC-2's, Fokker VIIB/3m's, Dornier Wal's and Junkers G-24's.

The larger concentrations of Spanish military aircraft in July 1936 were:

Cartagena: 5 DO-15, 26 Vildebeest, 17 Savoia-62
Madrid: 18 Nieuport-52, 27 Breguet XIX, 6 Fokker F-VII
Sevilla: 18 Breguet XIX
Eastern Morocco: 6 DO-1 5, 9 Breguet XIX, 4 Fokker F-VII

Air reinforcements started arriving for the Insurgents almost immediately after the revolt in the form of 20 Junker 52's from Germany and 12 Savoia 81's from Italy. This was a significant increase in strength in the context of Spain's new civil war.

THE SPANISH NAVY IN 1936

The Navy was the most modern of the Spanish armed services. Significant construction had been undertaken in the late 1920's and early 30's, and the Spanish Navy of 1936 consisted largely of new ships. In this period five cruisers, 18 destroyers, 9 submarines and six mi nelayer/gu n boats were laid down, although many of these craft were not to be completed until after the Civil War. Spanish designs were ve ry much Lnfluenced by British practice, British firms owning 25% of the company that built all Spanish warships.

Spain had four major naval bases; El Ferrol, Cadiz, Cartagena and Mahon on the island of Menorca. The vast majority of naval officers supported the rebellion, but the majority of the Navy remained in government hands. The rebellion largely fizzled at Cartagena and Mahon, while it succeeded at El Ferrol and Cadiz. The ships at El Ferrol and Cadiz were ordered to sea by the government on the 18th of July, those which didn't leave either through inability or the efforts of the officers were captured by the rebels.

DISPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SPANISH WARSHIPS IN 1939

ship location allegiance

Battleships

Espana (ex Alfonso XIII) El Ferrol rebel

Jaime I Santander loyal

15,452 tons; dimensions 435' x 78.75' x 25.5'; 19.5 knots; armament 8/305mm, 20/ 102mm, 2/76mmAA, 2/3pdr AA,10/MG; 19.5 knots.

Originally three in the class, Espana was renamed in 1931 with the fall of the Monarchy. They were the smallest Dreadnoughttype battleships ever built. At the beginning of the Civil War the Jaime I was in service, while Espana was decommissioned, awaiting disposal, with only two of its four main armament turrets functional.

Cruisers

Libertad (ex Principe Alfonso) El Ferrol loyal
Almirante Cervera El Ferrol rebel
Miguel de Cervantes El Ferrol loyal

7475 tons, dimensions 379.5' x 54' x 16.5', 33 knots. armament 8/150mm, 4 /102mm AA, 2/ 3pdr AA, 12 TT.

Based on the British "E" class cruisers, their construction marked a renaissance of sorts in Spanish ship building. Completed 1926 to 1931. Cervera was in dry dock when the Fleet was ordered to sea by the government.

Mendez Nunez Guinea loyal
4650 tons, dimensions 462' x 46' X15.5'; 29 knots. armament 6/ 152mm, 4/3 pdr AA, 4/MG, 12/ TT. Did not leave Guinea for Spain until September 3rd.

Republica (ex Reina Victoria) Cadiz rebel
5502 tons; dimensions 462' x 50' x 15.75'; 25.5 knots (originally); armament 9/152mm, 4/ 3 prd AA, 4/MG,4/TT

Awaiting disposal in Cadiz, its engines were completely useless. Used as a floating battery, it was later re-built and joined the Insurgent fleet in early 1938.

Destroyers

Churruca Cartagenasee below
Almirante Valdes Cartagenasee below
Sanchez Barcaiztegui Cartagena loyal
Almirante Ferrandiz Cartagena loyal
Lepanto Cartagena loyal
Almirante Antequera Santander loyal
Almirante Miranda Cartagena loyal
Jose Luis Diez Cartagena loyal
Alcala Galiano, Cartagena loyal

1590 tons, dimensions 333' x 31.75' x 10.5' ; 36 knots; armament 5/120mm, 1/76mm AA, 6 TT.

Based on the British "Scott" class leaders, these were excellent modern destroyers. Churruca and Almirante Valdes initially joined the insurrection, but their crews rebelled against their officers and returned to Cartagena after a few days. Other units of this class were still under construction.

Alsedo Cartagena loyal
Lazaga Cartagena loyal
Velasco El Ferrol rebel

1145 tons; dimensions 283' x 27' X 15% 34 knots; armament 3/ 102mm, 4/20mm AA, 4/TT
Based on British World War I destroyers, completed in early 20's.

Gunboats

Castillo Cadiz rebel
Canalejas Las Palmas rebel
Dab Ceuta rebel

1314 tons; dimensions 251' x 33.75' x 11.75% 15 knots; armament 4/102mm, 2/47mm AA.

Completed 1923 to 24:

Laya Algeciras loyal
Lauria Cadiz rebel

811 tons; dimensions 213' x 30' x 9.5% 14 knots; armament 4/ 76mm,2/MG Pre-World War I gunboats, their two sisters scrapped early 30's.

Submarines
C-1 to C-6 Cartagenaall loyal

916/1290 tons; dimensions 247' x 21' x 13.6; 16/8.5 knots; armament 1/76mm AA, 6 TT.
Built 1925 to 1931 under license in Spain from Electric Boat, they were similar to U.S. submarines of the era.

B- 1,2,5 & 6 Mahon all loyal
B-3 & 4 Palma all loyal

491/715 tons; dimensions 210' x 17.5' x 11'; 16/10.5 knots; armament 1/76mm AA, 4/TT. Improvements of earlier U.S. built submarine, the "Isaac Peral." Completed early 20's.

Spain also had 13 old small torpedo boats, spread out around various ports in Spain. 6 joined the rebellion. Originally armed with 3/47mm and 3 TT each, many had been disarmed and used as minelayers and other auxiliary purposes.

Under Construction

El Ferrol:
Heavy Cruisers- Canarias and Baleares (improvements of the British "County" class)
Minelayer/Gunboats- Jupiter, Vulcano, Neptuno, Marte, Eolo, and Triton

All these vessels fell into the hands of the Insurgents. Also at El Ferrol was the gunboat Zacatecas under construction for Mexico.

Cartagena:
Destroyers- Gravina, Escano, Ciscar, Jorge Juan, Ulloa, Alava and Liniers (Churruca class)
Submarines- D-1 thru D-3
All these vessels were retained by the government.

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