The Civil War in Photos (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

One of the key events leading up to the Civil War was the attempted revolution in Asturias in 1934. Following the loss of the Government parties in the 1933 elections, several unions and parties of the left called for a general strike, which didn't generally succeed. However, in Asturias, the miners pressed forward with the strike and took over several towns and attacked the police forces. The Government called in the Army to restore order, which was done brutally, by the general in charge, General Francisco Franco. Thousands of miners were killed and over 35,000 taken prisoner.

Here are some photos from the uprising in 1934. The last photo shows the Civil Guard (with the three corner hats) taking away some of the defeated miners.

 

[Showman]

Hello Brad - Great photos , Thanks

I think JJD is heading in the right direction with this series.

 

[jazzeum]

Greg,

Thanks. I think so too. My goal is just to impart a little info to whet people's whistle about Spain.

 

[jazzeum]

As an aside, the Civil Guards (La Guardia Civil) enjoy a checkered reputation in Spanish history. They were founded in 1844 as a national police force and were involved in a great deal of incidents, including the Casas Viejas incident, briefly mentioned below. However, a little more than half stayed loyal to the Republic during the Civil War. I'm sure the current rules have changed but a Guardia was not allowed to serve in the same region he was from. However, the Guardia has changed with the times and there are even same sex couples now in the Guardia. They even have a Facebook page. Wonder what Franco would think about that

When I lived in Spain in the mid 60s to early 70s they were not to be trifled with due to their reputation and they never smiled. The only time I saw one smile was when I was attending an old fashioned bullfight in Madrid's Plaza Mayor. The bullfighter was doing a terrible job and my friend Janet yelled out to a Guardia standing nearby "Please Senor Guardia, do us all a favor, take out your gun and put the bull out of his misery!" Everybody laughed and the Guardia gave a little smile.

I've attached some images of the Guardia, the fourth image being the Guardia at the time of the Casas Viejas incident in 1933 (several local anarchists attacked a Civil Guard post, more Civil Guard and assault troops were called in and in the resulting violence three members of the Civil Guards and Assault Forces and 22 peasants were killed) and the last being the Civil Guard today.

 

[jazzeum]

One of the tanks used by the Republican forces was the T-26, made in Russia from a Vickers 6 design. It first saw action in the Civil War and was considered a good match for the Panzer 1s. It was apparently good for its time but was definitely out of date by the time WW II started in 1939.

The first and third photo show T-26s in action and the second is one currently at a Spanish museum.

If the line proves successful, we may see a T-26 from John.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brad...

those are the most unusual caps/helmets I have ever seen...

they look like they could double for cooking pots almost...

being so un-aerodynamically designed...they must have been a booger in a stiff breeze..

you have any background or info on these...

 

[Scott]

I thought it was something like this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Guard_(Spain)

"Their traditional hat is the tricornio, originally a tricorne. Its use now is reserved to parades or ceremonies, being now substituted by a cap, a beret or the characteristic "gorra teresiana"[2]."

Can anyone confirm that under Franco, you couldn't take their photographs?

 

[lancer]

This is all great stuff. I am excited about this series and would love to see it expanded. I am already tracking down some of the excellent reading material that has been listed. Still a little surprised by JJD's direction here and very pleased he picked this subject. Way to go, JJD. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I thought it was something like this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Guard_(Spain)

"Their traditional hat is the tricornio, originally a tricorne. Its use now is reserved to parades or ceremonies, being now substituted by a cap, a beret or the characteristic "gorra teresiana"[2]."

Can anyone confirm that under Franco, you couldn't take their photographs?

I don't know the answer to your question Scott but, unless you wanted to wind up in jail, that was something I wouldn't have recommended doing.

 

[jazzeum]

Brad...

those are the most unusual caps/helmets I have ever seen...

they look like they could double for cooking pots almost...

being so un-aerodynamically designed...they must have been a booger in a stiff breeze..

you have any background or info on these...

Mike,

Here's the answer to your question, which I translated from a Spanish web site:

The three cornered hat, the tricornio, is one of the most characteristic symbols of the Spanish Civil Guard, and also one most feared by drivers when faced with a Guardia on the highway... because a fine is guaranteed.

The tricorn is a three-cornered hat used by the Guardia Civil for a long time that has been used since the Guardia was founded during the reign of Elizabeth II. The Guardia Civil was established by the government of Gonzalez Bravo and the consensus and the other political forces at that time.

The Duke de Ahumada was appointed to organize the Civil Guard. His objective was that the body had a uniform with stern-looking, elegant and striking and he designed the tricornio. The Duke de Ahumada presented to General Narvaez a mannequin with the uniform he had designed, which was accepted. Both the infantry forces and the cavalry, wore the so-called three-cornered hat or, as it’s called colloquially, the half cheese.

During 1860 the "cocked hat" was slightly changed and by 1866, the hat took the shape it has today.

 

[jazzeum]

Re: The Spanish Civil War in Photos

Some more photos of the T 26, as follows:

Remains of a Soviet Light Tank T-26 used by the Spanish Republican Army knocked out by the artillery during the Battle of Jarama.

T-26 taken by the Spanish Nationalist Army during the Battle of Jarama.

In the rear of the Jarama front, people look at two Spanish Republican T-26 captured by the Spanish Nationalist Army. In its turrets an advertising indicaticating: " COGIDO A LOS ROJOS " ("TAKEN TO THE REDS")

T-26 taken by the being analysed by Spanish Nationalist soldiers and someone of the Condor Legion. Apparently printed in a German newspaper.

 

[jazzeum]

An interesting tank in the Civil War was the Trubia. Only 6 prototypes were produced, three of which took part in the Spanish Civil War as part of the in Infantry Milán Regiment. The 'Trubia' was based on the Renault FT-17 series of light tanks. The tank was designed by army officer Captain Ruiz de Toledo, and built by Trubia in 1926 in Asturias, which is in the northern part of Spain, thus the name.

 

[Scott]

"I don't know the answer to your question Scott but, unless you wanted to wind up in jail, that was something I wouldn't have recommended doing. "

I don't think those guys were cute and cuddly like London Bobbies or the Canadian Mounted Police.

 

[Louis Badolato]

An interesting tank in the Civil War was the Trubia. Only 6 prototypes were produced, three of which took part in the Spanish Civil War as part of the in Infantry Milán Regiment. The 'Trubia' was based on the Renault FT-17 series of light tanks. The tank was designed by army officer Captain Ruiz de Toledo, and built by Trubia in 1926 in Asturias, which is in the northern part of Spain, thus the name.

The Trubia looks very cool, I hope John makes one of these as well!

 

[jazzeum]

Going back to the T 26, this was the workhorse for the Republic. This particular one served in the Battle for Madrid in November 1936. Had the Nationalists won that battle the Civil War may have ended then but the Republicans managed to hold them off until the war ended in 1939.

If and when John decides to go into Republican (government) armor, I think this would be the logical choice.

 

[jazzeum]

I came across this photo today and found it fascinating.

First, who is in the photo? The photo shows several Republican officials. From left to right they are as follows:

Amos (couldn't find any information about him)
Carlos Montilla, Spanish Ambassador to Switzerland
Julian Zugazagotia, one of the more famous Republicans, former deputy and Minister of Governance
David Antona, Secretary of the National Committee of the CNT, an anarchist union
Cruz Salido, member of the PSOE (Socialist Workers Party), editor of the Socialist newspaper and secretary to Indalecio Prieto, Minister of War during the SCW.
Cipriano Rivas Cheriff, writer and theatre director.
Melchor Rodriguez, Director of Prisons in Madrid during the SCW.

Okay, why is it fascinating: because it shows these men in Porlier Prison in Madrid in 1940. Following the end of the war in 1939, many Republicans, such as Zugazagotia and Cruz Salido, escaped to France where they were interned in camps.

Unfortunately for them, Vichy returned many to Spain to the victorious Nationalists. Zugazagotia, Antona and Cruz Salido would be sentenced to death and executed. At the time this photo was taken they knew their fate and Antona would be executed shortly after this photo was taken. Zugazagotia and Cruz Salido are buried side by side.