Spain in Arms: A Military History of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Spain in Arms is a new military history of the Spanish Civil War that examines how the conflict developed on the battlefield through the prism of eight campaigns between 1937-1939. It reveals the Nationalist battlefield superiority in terms of training and overall command, and the Republic's corresponding weaknesses in the same fields. It also explores how the extent of foreign intervention on both sides has been exaggerated throughout history and provides the first accurate information on this military intervention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Spain in Arms is a comprehensive and groundbreaking military history of the Spanish Civil War, delving into the intricate dynamics of the conflict on the battlefield. Spanning eight crucial campaigns between 1937 and 1939, the book offers a fresh perspective on the war, challenging the prevalent narratives and revealing the underlying half-truths and propaganda that have shaped our understanding of this pivotal period.

This extensive work is the result of nearly 60 years of diligent research, complemented by valuable insights from specialized German, Italian, and Russian works. One of the most remarkable chapters in the book revolves around the Italian campaign against the Basques on the Northern Front in 1937. This campaign was a defining moment in the Civil War, resulting in a spectacular Nationalist victory. The Italians managed to capture a staggering 60,000 prisoners, showcasing their military prowess and strategic brilliance.

What sets this book apart is its exclusive access to secret data intercepted by the British. These figures provide a detailed account of Italian air operations during the campaign, shedding light on the extent of their involvement and the devastating impact they had on the Republican forces. The intercepted data reveals that the Italians conducted 1,215 sorties and dropped 231 tons of bombs, suffering the heaviest losses in the process.

Furthermore, Spain in Arms delves into the Nationalist battlefield superiority in terms of training and overall command, as well as the corresponding weaknesses of the Republic in these same fields. The book provides a detailed account of the Republican Brunete and Belchite offensives of 1937, examining the weapons, tactics, and dynamic responses of both sides. It also challenges the exaggerated narrative of foreign intervention on both sides, offering the first accurate information on this military dimension of the conflict.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Spain in Arms presents a radically different but more accurate account of the battles and campaigns that shaped the course of the Spanish Civil War. By drawing upon British and French archives, the book offers a fresh perspective on the war, challenging our preconceived notions and providing a deeper understanding of this complex and pivotal period in history.

Weight: 616g
Dimension: 233 x 159 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781612006376