Battle of Gandesa (1938)

Battle of Gandesa
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Date 1-3 April 1938 Location Gandesa, Catalonia, Spain Result Francoist victory
Belligerents
Spanish Republic International Brigades	Nationalist Spain Corpo Truppe Volontarie Aviazione Legionaria Condor Legion
Strength
XV International Brigade
Casualties and losses
140 prisoners

The Battle of Gandesa was an event that took place in April 1938 during the Spanish Civil War.

Background

After the fall of Caspe, the Nationalists troops continued their advance towards Catalonia with the support of the Legion Condor and the Aviazione Legionaria. By the end of February the nationalist had reached the outskirts of Gandesa. The XV International Brigade had been retreating since the Aragón Offensive began and the republican lines collapsed.^[1][2]

The battle was caused by the decision of the XV International Brigade to dig in and hold to the town of Gandesa in an effort to slow down the offensive of the Francoist troops who had been advancing in a steady manner since the beginning of the offensive.^[3]

Battle

The town of Gandesa was held by the XV International Brigade and the Nationalists attacked with troops of the Mario Berti´s CTV and the Monasterio's Army Corps. Despite the prowess of the British troops, Gandesa fell on 3 April and 140 British and American members of the International Brigades were made prisoners.^[4] Nevertheless, the resistance of the XV Brigade allowed the Republican troops to regroup and to withdraw some material across the Ebro River.^[5]

References

1. Salas Larrazabal, Ramón (2006); Historia del Ejército Popular de la República, La Esfera de los Libros, Madrid; ISBN 84-9734-465-0.
2. Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 859 (Spanish edition).
3. Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 871 (Spanish edition)
4. Hugh Thomas (1976); p. 862 (Spanish edition).
5. Thomas, Hugh. (2001). The Spanish Civil War. Penguin Books. London. p.781

Coordinates: 41°3′N 0°26′E / 41.050°N 0.433°E