In the 1936 Spanish general election, the election of the left-wing "Spanish Republicans" caused a series of chaos. Compared with the right-wing government that emphasized order, it was more difficult for the left to control the already chaotic situation in Spain.
Therefore, Spain's right-wing parties asked the former Prime Minister to declare martial law and not hand over the power to prevent the country from entering anarchy. Military strongman General Franco also advocated nationwide martial law, but was rejected by the former Spanish Prime Minister.
Franco, who was rejected, not only did not feel discouraged, but instead worked tirelessly to secretly organize a coup.
On July 18, 1936, Franco led the Spanish colonial troops stationed in Morocco and the Canary Islands to launch a rebellion. The national army under Franco quickly invaded Cadiz, Seville, and Zaragoza in mainland Spain.
Sa, Burgos and other large and medium-sized cities.
Due to the preparations in place, most of the Spanish army and air force, as well as a "Foreign Legion" composed of Moroccans, participated in the rebellion. Spain's few government troops were defeated steadily.
For a time, Franco's national army quickly occupied Spanish Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the northern and southwestern provinces of mainland Spain. On July 30, it established a "National Defense Executive Committee" in Burgos in an attempt to attack from the north and the south.
Madrid, and then seized national power.
However, Spain's Republican government did not sit still. Through the strategy of trading space for time, the Spanish government called on people from all walks of life to take up arms to defend the Republic. It formed a militia organization with 300,000 people, the Popular Guard.
Franco's National Army was unable to maintain a large-scale offensive because it did not receive the military assistance originally promised by the British government. The situation that originally favored the National Army was reversed, and Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, and Mara
Rebellions in large and medium-sized cities such as Canada and Bilbao were quickly quelled.
At the end of July, Franco's National Army only controlled Andalusia in the south of Spain and Galicia, Navarre, Old Castile and other economically backward provinces in the north. The government forces controlled all industrial and political centers.
, major ports, transportation arteries and important agricultural areas.
As a result, the National Army and the government forces on the Spanish battlefield formed a subtle North-South confrontation. However, such a confrontation was obviously not conducive to the weak foundation of the National Army under Franco.
In Franco's frontline headquarters in Seville, Franco was studying the next step with Mora, the second leader of the National Army.
"The delicate confrontation cannot continue to confront the Republican Army like this!" Mora anxiously advised Franco: "The area we control is obviously behind the area controlled by the Republican Army. Once the war develops into a protracted war, sooner or later we will
You’ll be dragged down!”
"General Franco, our army discovered on the battlefield that the People's Guard under the Republicans has recently been equipped with a large number of German-made weapons. Although most of these weapons are backward weapons eliminated by the Germans after World War I, the People's Guard has
With a huge base, it has indeed been strengthened." A general who followed Franco from the colonies to the mainland said uneasily: "The Republicans control the country's gold reserves, and they can purchase weapons in large quantities. But we
But the weapons we have are becoming less and less as we fight, and before long, we will be running out of ammunition and food!"
Franco angrily punched the map on the wall and said gloomily: "Those idiots, in order to win this civil war, actually used a lot of gold saved by previous governments to exchange for a lot of backwardness.
weapons. In this way, even if it wins, Spain will be completely reduced to a third-rate country in Europe."
"It's time for us to find a strong foreign aid!" A senior staff officer with the rank of colonel stood up and suggested to Franco, his old superior.
"But what area can we use to replace it?" Franco sighed and said: "Besides, if we ask for help at this time, the price we will pay will be beyond our imagination."
Hearing this, Mora, who was Franco's right-hand man, stepped forward and said: "General, the government of the Republic has not hesitated to use the national treasury in order to win. In this case, what do we have to worry about? No matter who wins, the price has been paid.
Inevitable."
"That's right, General." The senior staff officer advised: "Once we fail, we will all be pushed to the gallows by the victorious side. No matter what, we should first find a way to win this war."
The confidant generals following Franco also loudly echoed this view: "Compared with the Republicans, our ideology is actually closer to the expectations of the Germans. Since the Germans can help the Republicans for their own benefit, then they can also
Because the interests support us. We can promise resources, ports, and military bases to the Germans in advance. As long as the interests are sufficient, the Germans have no reason not to help us."
Franco was finally persuaded by his cronies and nodded: "This time we can't put all our hopes in one basket like we only contacted the UK before. In addition to Germany, Italy, which has shown great strength in Ethiopia, also wants to
Contact us as much as possible. There is also Portugal. This country is close to us. With their support, we can connect a small area of control in the north of us and change the situation of north-south confrontation to east-west confrontation."
After making up his mind, Franco immediately called three aides to make arrangements: "You will go to Portugal, Italy, and Germany tonight. Try your best to obtain their military assistance. Whether we can win or not depends entirely on you.
So eloquent."
After thinking about it, Franco added hesitantly: "Try not to give up too many benefits as much as possible. I don't want to become Spain's sinner."
This military dictator who has been fighting for the best interests of Spain throughout history is still trying to safeguard the best interests of Spain at this moment. Unfortunately, he forgot one thing. When asking for help, the supplicant has no say.
"Report!" A liaison officer hurriedly broke into the headquarters and reported loudly: "General Franco, the Republican Army has launched a large-scale attack in Cordoba and Granada, and our defenders are about to resist it.
I can’t stand it any longer.”
Hearing this, the senior staff officer who knew military knowledge loudly exclaimed: "God, once these two strategic towns are lost, the Republican Army will be able to surround our 20,000 elite troops staying in the salient in one fell swoop, thereby flanking our forces in Seville."
It’s the frontline command post.”
Franco's heart sank, and he frowned and changed his words to his three aides: "No matter what, we must obtain military assistance. No matter what the cost, I will give you the right to agree."
"Let's go now," Franco waved his hand eagerly and said, "We don't have much time. The sooner you arrive, the better."
After speaking, Franco turned to a general behind him and said: "Order the Irish volunteer battalion and Moroccan volunteer division assembled in the protrusion to move towards Cordoba. Granada can't be held, but as a front line
Cordoba, who is in charge of the command department, must support me!"
Mora on the side was worried: If we give up Granada, can Cordoba be able to defend it?
