CORPO TRUPPE VOLONTARIE
History of War|Issue 122
During the Spanish Civil War, tens of thousands of Italian soldiers fought in Spain to support the fascist Nationalist forces of Francisco Franco
CORPO TRUPPE VOLONTARIE

The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) split the world down ideological lines. Those who supported the left-leaning government of the Second Spanish Republic travelled to Spain in their thousands to join the volunteer International Brigades and other associated groups. Consisting of socialists, communists, anarchists and democrats, these pro-Republican foreign volunteers did not receive official recognition or assistance from their countries of origin such as France, the United States and United Kingdom.

On the other hand, supporters of the Nationalist military junta led by General Francisco Franco firmly included Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Portugal. Nationalist forces received supplies of munitions and other equipment as well as air and naval support from these far-right governments. The most infamous example of this foreign intervention was the bombing of Guernica in 1937 when German and Italian aircraft bombed the Basque town. However, what is less well known is that Italy provided the Nationalists with tens of thousands of soldiers who fought across Spain in numerous battles and campaigns.

Fascist volunteers

Ever since Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy, he had developed contacts with right-wing groups in Spain. He hosted Spanish politicians and generals in Rome in 1934 who were opposed to the legitimately elected Second Republic and promised them arms and financial support if civil war broke out.

Denne historien er fra Issue 122-utgaven av History of War.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 122-utgaven av History of War.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HISTORY OF WARSe alt
NAUMACHIA TRUTH BEHIND ROME'S GLADIATOR SEA BATTLES
History of War

NAUMACHIA TRUTH BEHIND ROME'S GLADIATOR SEA BATTLES

In their quest for evermore novel and bloody entertainment, the Romans staged enormous naval fights on artificial lakes

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 138
OPERATION MANNA
History of War

OPERATION MANNA

In late April 1945, millions of Dutch civilians were starving as Nazi retribution for the failed Operation Market Garden cut off supplies. eet as In response, Allied bombers launched a risky mission to air-drop food

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 138
GASSING HITLER
History of War

GASSING HITLER

Just a month before the end of WWI, the future Fuhrer was blinded by a British shell and invalided away from the frontline. Over a century later, has the artillery brigade that launched the fateful attack finally been identified?

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 138
SALAMANCA
History of War

SALAMANCA

After years of largely defensive campaigning, Lieutenant General Arthur Wellesley went on the offensive against a French invasion of Andalusia

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 138
HUMBERT 'ROCKY'VERSACE
History of War

HUMBERT 'ROCKY'VERSACE

Early in the Vietnam War, a dedicated US Special Forces officer defied his merciless Viet Cong captors and inspired his fellow POWs to survive

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 138
LEYTE 1944 SINKING THE RISING SUN
History of War

LEYTE 1944 SINKING THE RISING SUN

One of the more difficult island campaigns in WWII's Pacific Theatre saw a brutal months-long fight that exhausted Japan’s military strength

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 138
MAD DAWN
History of War

MAD DAWN

How technology transformed strategic thinking and military doctrine from the Cold War to the current day

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 138
BRUSHES WITH ARMAGEDDON
History of War

BRUSHES WITH ARMAGEDDON

Humanity came close to self-annihilation with the Cuban Missile Crisis, Broken Arrows’ and other nuclear near misses

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 138
THE DEADLY RACE
History of War

THE DEADLY RACE

How the road to peace led to an arms contest between the USA and USSR, with prototypes, proliferation and the world’s biggest bomb

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 138
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
History of War

THE MANHATTAN PROJECT

Einstein, Oppenheimer and the race to beat Hitler to the bomb. How a science project in the desert helped win a war

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 138