List of battles in the Spanish Civil War explained

The Spanish Civil War was fought between July 17, 1936, and April 1, 1939, between the Second Spanish Republic and the Nationalist Rebels. Republicans tended to align with left-leaning political beliefs, and their faction consisted of Republicans, anarchist, liberals, communist, socialist, and separatist groups. The President of the Second Spanish Republic was the politician Manuel Azaña. In contrast, the Nationalist faction consisted of more right-leaning groups such as monarchists, traditionalists, conservatives, and Falangists. Their faction was led by a military junta, which came to be under the control of General Francisco Franco. The war began on July 17, 1936, with an attempted coup organized by generals in the Spanish Republican Armed Forces. The rebellion failed to overthrow the government quickly, however, the rebels gained control over large sections of the country. Their power bases were centered in the west and south of the country. The Republican government still maintained control over important cities such as Madrid. By 1937, the rebels had captured much of Spain's coastline and had laid siege to Madrid. They also conquered the remaining areas in the north. This sector of the war is known as the War in the North. Throughout 1938 the rebels marched to the east of the country, capturing Aragon and Catalonia. This cut off the Republican government from their primary source of supplies in Catalonia. By this point in the war, the Republicans had lost hundreds of thousands of men, and their morale was wavering. Colonel Segismundo Casado staged a coup against the government and hoped to take control and negotiate peace with the Nationalists. However, Franco rejected all offers. Franco had conquered Madrid on April 1, 1939, declaring victory. Afterward, Franco punished those who had associated with the Republican faction in a series of purges and executions known as the White Terror.

Battles

!Battle!Date!Image!Description!Outcome
July 1936 military uprising in Melilla – July 18, 1936Francoist rebels in Melilla, a city in Spanish Morocco, overthrew the Republican government and seized control over the colony.Nationalist Victory
Siege of the Montaña barracks – July 20, 1936Rebels attempted to stage a coup in Madrid. The majority of the soldiers in the city remained loyal and the rebellion was squashed.Republican Victory
July 1936 military uprising in BarcelonaOfficers of the Spanish army staged a coup in Barcelona. The Civil Guard, Assault Guard, the Mossos d’Esquadra, and Spanish Anarchists defeated the rebels.Republican Victory
Siege of Gijón – August 16, 1936Spanish forces and Anarchist militia besieged a rebel garrison in Gijón. The defenders ran out of supplies and were forced to surrender. Republican Victory
Siege of Oviedo – October 17, 1936 Republican forces besieged rebel forces in Oviedo. The defenders resisted until a Nationalist relief force arrived. Nationalist Victory
Siege of the Loyola barracks – July 27, 1936Soldiers in the Loyola barracks joined the uprising. Republican forces arrived and besieged the barracks. After a few days of fighting, the rebels surrendered. Republican Victory
July 1936 coup d'état in Granada – July 23, 1936The garrison of Granada rebelled against the government. Workers, civilians, and soldiers still loyal to the Republican government held out in the neighborhood of Albaicín. After several days the Republicans surrendered. Nationalist victory
Campaign of Gipuzkoa – September 26, 1936Nationialist forces invaded and captured the province of Gipuzkoa. Nationalist Victory
Siege of the Alcázar – September 27, 1936 Republican forces besieged the Alcázar. It is the former residence of the Spanish monarchs, and was of significant symbolic importance to the Nationalists. They viewed it a representation of Spanish dominance. The siege was lifted when a rebel relief force arrived repelling the loyalist army. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Guadarrama – September 15, 1936Nationalist forces attempted to cross the Sierra de Guadarrama to reach Madrid from the north. The loyalist army repelled them. Republican Victory
Extremadura campaign – August 14, 1936Nationalist forces conquered Extremadura. This connected the two disparate parts of the rebel territory in the south and west. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Almendralejo – August 15, 1936Nationalist troops occupied the town of Almendralejo. Loyalist forces retreated, although 40 remained in the parish. The rebels besieged the remaining soldiers, and took the town. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Sigüenza - October 15, 1936Sigüenza is captured by nationalist army.[1] Nationalist Victory
Battle of Mérida – August 11, 1936Nationalist forces conquerued Mérida and repelled Loyalist attempts to retake the city. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Badajoz – 14, 1936 Nationalist forces captured the city of Badajoz. Securing them control of Extremadura. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Majorca – September 12, 1936Republican forces staged an amphibious landing of Mallorca in an attempt to reconquer it. Their assault was repelled by the rebels. Nationalist Victory
Battle of the Sierra Guadalupe – August 31, 1936Nationalist Victory
Battle of Irún – September 5, 1936Nationalist forces captured the city of Irún, cutting off loyalist provinces from receiving French aid. Nationalist Victory
Córdoba offensive- August 22, 1936Nationalist Victory
Battle of Monte PeladoVolunteers of the Matteotti Battalion defeated a Nationalist force at Monte Pelado. Republican Victory
Battle of Talavera de la ReinaNationalist forces conquerued the city of Talavera de la Reina. José Giral was forced to resign following the defeat. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Cerro MurianoNationalist forces overwhelmed a Spanish Republican position at the village of Cerro Mariano in Andalusia. Nationalist Victory
Siege of Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza – May 1, 1937Rebel soldiers encamped at the shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza. Republican forces besieged and squashed the rebels. Republican Victory
1936 uprising in Spanish Guinea - October, 1936Nationalist forces staged a coup against the Republican governor of Spanish Guinea. Remaining Republican forces were driven out. Nationalist Victory
Battle of SeseñaRepublican forces armed with Soviet tanks launched a counteroffensive to stop the Nationalist advance on Madrid. Their assault fails, and the rebels continued their march. Nationalist Victory
Villarreal Offensive – December 24, 1936Euzko Gudarostea besieged the town of Villarreal. Although Nationalist forces repelled their offensive, they secured some land in the nearby mountains. Inconclusive
Siege of Madrid – March 28, 1939Nationalist forces besieged the city of Madrid. After a few years of fighting the city fell to the rebels.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Ciudad Universitaria – November 23, 1936Republican forces halted the Nationalist advance on Madrid at the campus of the Ciudad Universitaria. Republican Victory
First Battle of the Corunna Road – December 3, 1936Republican forces repelled a Nationalist attempt to cut off the Corunna Road. This prevented Madrid from being cut off from the west. Republican Victory
Aceituna Campaign – December 31, 1936Nationalist forces launched a campaign to conquer Andújar. They defeated Republican forces but failed to occupy the city. Inconclusive
Second Battle of the Corunna Road – January 15, 1937Nationalist forces successfully took the Corunna Road. Although Republican forces successfully prevented the encirclement of Madrid. Republican Victory
Battle of Lopera – December 29, 1936Republican forces launched an assault on the town of Lopera. Their assault is repelled by the Nationalists. Nationalist Victory
Third Battle of the Corunna RoadNationalist forces conquerued more land along the Corunna Road. However, Republican forces maintained control of the countryside, preventing the rebels from encircling Madrid. Inconclusive
Battle of Málaga– February 8, 1937Nationalist and Italian forces routed a Republican army and captured Málaga. Nationalist Victory
Los Blázquez OffensiveNationalist forces launch an offensive as part of their assault on Málaga.
Battle of Jarama – February 27, 1937Nationalist forces attempted to dislodge the Republicans at the Jarama river. Republican forces were pushed back, although no breakthrough was made. Following the initial assault there was a series of failed Republican counteroffensives. Inconclusive
Battle of Cape MachichacoOne Nationalist cruiser attacked a Republican convoy guarded by four trawlers. One trawler was sunk, two were damaged, and the convoy was captured.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Pozoblanco- April 16, 1937Republican troops repelled a Nationalist effort to capture Pozoblanco. Republican Victory
Battle of Guadalajara– 23, 1937Nationalist and Italian forces attempted to encircle Madrid. The Republican forces successfully pushed the rebels back and launched a successful counteroffensive. Republican Victory
War in the North – October 21, 1937Nationalist forces conquered all the land in northern Spain that remained loyal to the Republic. Nationalist Victory
Biscay Campaign – July 1, 1937Nationalist forces occupied the province of Biscay and captured the city of Bilbao. Nationalist Victory
Segovia Offensive - June 6, 1937Republican forces launched an offensive to capture Segovia. This was intended to divert the rebel armies marching on Bilbao. The offensive failed due to a lack of air support. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Bilbao – June 19, 1937Nationalist forces captured Bilbao and all of the remaining territory in the Basque Country. Nationalist Victory
Huesca Offensive - June 19, 1937Republican troops launched an offensive to capture Huesca. The rebels successfully repelled the assault.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Albarracín– August 11, 1937Republican forces assaulted the city of Albarracín. They experienced short term success, forcing the rebels to take defensive positioning. However, the Nationalists soon launched a counterattack repelling the Republicans from the area.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Brunete – July 25, 1937Republican troops launched an offensive on Brunete to alleviate rebel pressure on Madrid. They gain 24 kilometers of territory during the earlier part of the battle. The Nationalists organized a counterattack and forced the Republicans to retreat.Inconclusive
Battle of Santander – 17 September 1937Nationalist forces launched an offensive to conquer the province of Santander, which is now Cantabria. Their assault was successful, they captured the land and inflicted catastrophic losses on the Republicans.Nationalist Victory
Zaragoza Offensive – September 7, 1937Republican forces launched an offensive to retake Zaragosa. They failed to retake the city, however they captured Belchite.Inconclusive
Battle of Belchite – September 7, 1937The Republicans retook Belchite and surrounding towns as part of the Zaragoza Offensive. Afterwards, the Nationalists launched a counteroffensive to try and recapture the city. However the Republican lines held firm.Republican Victory
Asturias Offensive – October 21, 1937The Nationalists launched an offensive to capture Asturias. They successfully took the land, ending the War in the North.Nationalist Victory
Battle of El Mazucu – September 22, 1937Republican forces protecting El Mazucu temporarily halted the Nationalist offensive in Asturias. After eight weeks of fighting, the rebels overwhelmed the defenders. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Cape CherchellOne Nationalist heavy cruiser unexpectedly encountered two Republican naval light cruisers guarding a convoy. The warships engaged in battle, and the Republican convoy was lost.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Sabiñánigo – November 8, 1937Republican forces attempted to capture Sabiñánigo. They encircled the city, but failed to occupy it. However, they retook Biescas. Republican Victory
Battle of Teruel – February 22, 1938Republican and Nationalist forces fought of the city of Teruel. Republican forces initially occupied the city. However the rebels used their superior equipment and manpower to recapture the area.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Alfambra - February 7, 1938Nationalist forces launched an offensive as part of the Battle of Teruel to rake the city. They broke through Republican lines at Alfambra, took thousands of prisoners, and threatened the Republican position in Teruel.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Cape Palos – March 6, 1938Republican and Nationalist naval forces engaged each other at Cape Palos. During the battle, the Nationalist cruiser Baleares was sunk.Republican Victory
Aragon Offensive – April 19, 1938After retaking Teruel the Nationalists launched an offensive on Aragon. They took control over the province and conquered land in Catalonia and the Levante.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Caspe – March 17, 1938Nationalist forces defeated a Republican garrison in Caspe, conquering the town.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Lérida – April 3, 1938
Battle of Gandesa - April 3, 1938After conquering Caspe Nationalist forces marched on Gandesa, capturing the town.Nationalist Victory
Battle of the Segre – January 3, 1939Republican forces were pushed back to the Segre river following the loss of Aragon. Nationalist forces launched an assault on the area. They were met with a line of heavily fortified Republican defensive positions. After months of fighting, the Nationalists broke through the Republican lines. Nationalist Victory
Battle of Biesla pocket – June 16, 1938Republican soldiers in Bielsa were encircled after the fall of Aragon. They successfully escaped and crossed the border to France. Nationalist forces captured the town of Bielsa afterwards.Nationalist Victory
Levante Offensive – July 24, 1938Nationalist forces launched an offensive to capture Valencia. They conquered the province of Castellón, however failed to take Valencia.Republican Victory
Balaguer Offensive - May, 1938Republican forces launched a series of failed counter offensives after losing Aragon.Nationalist Victory
Battle of the Merida pocket - July 24, 1938Nationalist forces launched a successful offensive to capture Mérida.Nationalist Victory
Battle of the Ebro – November 16, 1938The Republicans launched an offensive across the Ebro river to halt the Nationalist offensive. They expended much of their resources and manpower, but failed to halt the Nationalist assault. In the ensuing rebel counteroffensive, they retook some of the land the Republicans had conquered.Nationalist Victory
Siege of Gandesa – November 2, 1938Nationalist forces repelled an attempt by Republican troops to capture Gandesa.Nationalist Victory
Catalonia OffensiveDecember 23, 1938 – February 10, 1939Nationalist forces launched an offensive, successfully conquering all of Catalonia and Barcelona.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Valsequillo – February 4, 1939Republican forces launched an offensive on Sierra Morena to divert Nationalist forces in Catalonia. They retook 500 kilometers of land, but the Nationalists soon launched a counteroffensive retaking all the lost territory.Nationalist Victory
Battle of Minorca – February 9, 1939Nationalist forces captured the island of Menorca.Nationalist Victory
Cartagena uprising – March 7, 1939Republican troops in Cartagena rebelled against the Republican government. Loyal Republican forces were tasked with squashing the revolt, which they soon accomplished. Nationalist forces were sent to aid the disloyal Republicans, however by the time they arrived the Rebellion was crushed. One Nationalist ship was sunk.Republican Victory
Final offensive of the Spanish Civil War – April 1, 1939Republican forces overthrew the government and established a military Junta. This new government attempted to negotiate peace with the Nationalists, however the rebels were only interested in an unconditional surrender. They launched an offensive and took control over all the remaining land in Spain.Nationalist Victory

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Martín del Moral, 2008, pp. 4-5.