Militia - Milicia:
Militia were quite common during the Spanish Civil War and were comprised of individuals given a weapon, perhaps a basic uniform, and little training. Militia bands were often formed from a variety of groups ranging including local communities, youth groups, political parties and even trade unions. The most common militia utilized by the Nationalists were created by the Carlist and Falangist Parties.
Falangist Militia - Milicia Falangista
The Falange Party (FET-JONS) would be elevated to the position as the leading political party of the Nationalist rebellion in Spain by Francisco Franco. The Falange (or Phalanx) was founded in support of fascism, and it took many aspects from Benito Mussolini's fascism in Italy. The party was founded by Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, the son of the former autocratic Prime Minister of Spain Miguel Primo de Rivera who reigned in the 1920's. The Falange contributed a large amount of militia and professional soldiers to the Nationalist Army.
Blackshirt Militia - Milizia Camicie Nere
Benito Mussolini of Italy was a hugely enthusiastic supporter of the Nationalist movement in Spain and was very quick to send support to help the rebels. He provided the largest foreign contribution to the war in the form of sending volunteers to go fight in Spain. Many of these volunteers were members of the Blackshirts, Mussolini's political "muscle." Of course, many of these Blackshirts volunteers he sent were poorly trained and poorly armed and were little more than militia.
Civil Guard - Guardia Civil
The Civil Guard was founded as Spain's national police force in 1844 with the original intent of cutting down on banditry and guerrillas in the Spanish countryside. Over time the Guard gained a reputation for brutality that made it disliked by many of the people of Spain and had a close connection with the military. During the Spanish Civil War, the Guard was split between the Nationalists and the Republic, but is most often associated with assisting the rebellion although it did play a significant part in assisting the Catalan anarchists in Barcelona and their revolution against the militarists there.
Italian Volunteer Infantry - Fanteria de Corpo Truppe Volontarie
Italy sent a massive amount of manpower to fight for the Nationalists. Additionally they sent tanks, planes and weapons as well. The Corp of Volunteer Troops represented a large and continuous contribution to the Nationalist war effort through Italy. Although their combat capability is often debated, no doubt did the CTV provide a greatly appreciated help in contributing to the Nationalist victory in 1939.
Infantry - Infanteria
The Spanish Civil War initially started as an coup d'etat in the army. In particular the Spanish army was primarily led by an officer class that was staunchly conservative. Military bases were supposed to rise up across Spain on a synchronized date. Some of these uprisings, as like what happened in Morocco and Navarre, were very successful. Others were suppressed almost immediately by Republican militias. Some other rebellions finally remained isolated and under siege for a considerable time before being relieved, like in Toledo and famous defense of the Alcazar by Nationalist rebels.
Carlist Requetes
The Carlist Party was one of the most significant supporters of the Nationalist revolt. The Carlist Party was first formed after a royal succession dispute upon the death of King Fernando VII whether to pass the crown to Fernando's brother Carlos or his daughter Isabella. Isabella was crowned queen of Spain and the Carlists would wage three wars against the Spanish government prior to the Civil War of 1936. The Carlists contributed a large amount of troops, most of whom were from the political party's base in Navarre. They were considered extremely brave troops and worn a Sacred Heart pin over their left breast in the belief it would protect them against bullets. Additionally, due to Carlists strongly Catholic nature, chaplains and priests accompanied Requetes on the battlefield and often risked their lives to grant dying soldiers their Last Rites.
SMG Infantry - Infanteria de Choque
The submachinegun was first used in World War I, and in the Spanish Civil War it would continue to be employed by both sides in certain numbers. They were mostly given to officers, NCOs and some assault troops. The most commonly used SMGs by the Nationalists were the German-manufactured MP-28 and the MP-35. The bolt-action rifle remained the primary weapon used in the war.
Moroccan Regulares - Fuerzas Regulares Indigenas
Some of Spain's best troops were the Regulares, who were Berber Moroccans that served with the Spanish Army. They were well-trained, disciplined and had an excellent soldierly instinct. They also had a reputation for brutality. Formed in 1911, these soldiers proved their loyalty to Spain in the Rif War where they proved themselves some of Spain's most useful soldiers against the rebellious Rif tribes. Francisco Franco's first military command was over a group of Regulares where he proved his talents as a military leader. They would again come in useful against in the Spanish Civil War when they joined the rebellion in Morocco with the rest of the Army of Africa. In the countryside of Spain they were great fighters, but their unfamiliarity with cities made them experience difficulties when fighting in urban environments.
Spanish Foreign Legion - El Tercio
The Spanish Foreign Legion was first founded by Jose Millan Astray, a flamboyant Spanish military officer with an extremely histrionic personality. Francisco Franco was the second-in-command of the force. The Legion was first created during the Rif War and was based on France's own Foreign Legion when Spain needed an elite corps of soldiers that were absolutely dedicated to the soldier's lifestyle. The Legion would be comprised primarily of a mix of Spaniards and those of Spanish descent from Latin America. At the start of the Spanish Civil War it was part of the Army of Africa and was one of the leading forces of the uprising. The Spanish Legion during the Civil War would attract volunteers from places like Ireland, Portugal and other strongly Catholic countries to fight for the Nationalists.
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Civis
Re: [WIP] The Spanish Civil War
I say, what, what?
Laetus
Re: [WIP] The Spanish Civil War
Originally Posted by EmperorBatman999
Here's my attempt so far to make civilian clothing.
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