บท 5: Chapter 84 The Spanish Campaign (3)
On July 17, Spanish colonial troops in Morocco and the Canary Islands revolted, instigated by generals such as Franco and Emilio Mora. The rebellion quickly spread to the mainland Cadiz, Seville, Zaragoza, Burgos and other large and medium-sized cities. A large part of the Spanish army and air force (about 120,000 men), as well as the "Foreign Legion" composed of Moroccans, took part in the rebellion.
Caught by surprise, Franco quickly occupied Western Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the northern and southwestern provinces of mainland Spain, and on July 30, he set up the "National Defense Council" in Burgos in an attempt to attack Madrid from the north and south, and then seize national power.
When the Spanish government reacted, they asked for help from the Soviet Union and called on all sectors of the Spanish population to take up arms in defense of the Republic. In just two days, 300,000 people enrolled in the militias.
The international volunteers organized by the Soviet Union played a key role in saving Madrid.
Of course, the Soviet Union's aid was not free; they sold arms to the Spanish government through third-country trade, demanding payment in gold. The biggest advantage of the Spanish government in the Civil War was that the country's gold reserves were in their hands, bearing in mind that at this time Spain was the sixth largest gold reserve in the world.
The war took a sharp turn for the worse, and the fighting started by supporters of Franco and others in the large and medium-sized cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, and Bilbao was quickly quelled.
With the support of the Soviet Union and France, government forces soon "recovered" all industrial and political centers, major ports, transportation routes, and important agricultural areas. At this moment, only Andalusia in the south and Galicia, Navarra and Old Castile in the north were left in Franco's hands, which were economically backward and of little economic value. Everyone could already see that the situation was beginning to look rather unfavorable for Franco.
"These Englishmen who don't keep their word!!!" Inside the General Headquarters, Franco cursed those treacherous Brits with hatred. Before, they had talked a great deal as if they would have a constant stream of reinforcements if they got things together. But what happened? This guy is good, as if nothing happened, still there to wait and see. Even the British Parliament rejected the motion of support for Spain.
His right-hand man, Arias, advised from the sidelines. "General, you can't count on the British commitment. Perhaps we should look for some firmer supporters." Said the man quietly making a look towards the side.
A general immediately spoke up. "Right, General. Now that the government forces have taken over the majority of the city and we have no external support, if we keep fighting like this, we're going to run out of ammunition."
Another staffer chimed in. "General, the government army's backer is the Soviet Union, if we fail Spain will become a bridgehead for the Soviet Union. Many of the European powers are wary of red expansion, they won't want to see a red state at the western end of Europe."
"And why wouldn't I know that." Franco sighed a million times. "But I've already laid my treasure on England, and haven't had time to seek another country. If I seek them out in this desperate situation, then others will ask for everything?"
Arias couldn't help but raise his voice. "Your Excellency General, we at least have the value to make someone an offer now, but if we fail, we're a bunch of traitors, all going to the gallows."
"..." After a long moment of silence, Franco nodded fiercely. "You are right! As long as we win, any price is worth it! But which country should we go to? Italy? Germany?" Although France had opted for a policy of "non-intervention", it was clearly favoring the government forces, and with Britain standing by, there seemed to be few other options on the European continent today besides Italy and Germany.
"Italy?" Arias bristled with some disdain. "You also saw how Italy fought Ethiopia last time, the fighting strength of the Italian army is really not to be praised. And they haven't completely gotten rid of the economic crisis yet, they can't give much help. I think Germany is good, they have completely come out of the economic crisis, the armament has increased greatly over the years, the vitality is restored, they should have the confidence to participate in this war. After all, according to their past strength, they still have a strong fighting force." Although Germany lost the last war, their fighting strength was also recognized by the whole world.
One of the staffers said with some concern. "But I heard that the Germans have been trading very closely with the Soviet Union lately, and the Soviet Union even ordered a few warships from Germany. Will they refuse aid because of this relationship?"
"Always try." Arias still insisted. "We can lease ports, sell minerals, and even allow German troops to be stationed in our territory, as long as we offer generous enough conditions, the Germans will surely be moved!" Speaking here he saw that Franco's face was a little hard to see and advised. "General, as long as we win, we can get back what we lost sooner or later! But if we fail, then we won't have any chance at all!"
Seeing the other staff members nodding their heads as well, Franco no longer hesitated and pointed at two of them, commanding. "I appoint you as envoys, one to Germany and one to Italy. Do your best to gain their support! But you can't be left to the mercy of others, and you can't back down too much where you should bargain! Too cheap a price will only make people look down on us, understand?!"
The two staff officers nodded solemnly. "Please rest assured, Your Excellency General! We will definitely do our best."
The two staff officers' feet hadn't even stepped out of the command headquarters yet when a staff officer hurriedly walked in with a telegram in his hand. "Reporting to the general, the government forces are gathering in the Cordoba region, the number of people is unknown, but the known strength has exceeded ten thousand."
"Heh!" Arias couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "Looks like the Republican Army is planning to deal us a fatal blow." He straightened his uniform and saluted Franco. "Your Excellency General, I will personally head to Cordoba and start a street battle with the enemy there."
The government forces now had Soviet-backed tanks and airplanes. And a street battle could pull all the war machines onto the same platform. In alley warfare, heavy weapons could not be deployed, bombers tanks heavy artillery could not be brought to bear, and the way alley warfare was fought had always been man to man, gun to gun.
"Arias!" Franco clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Whether or not we can achieve final victory next depends on you."
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