Tank Combat in Spain: Armored Warfare During the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Spain served as a testing ground for the deployment of tanks in World War II, with Italy, Germany, and the Soviet Union intervening. The use of tanks in the Civil War combined traditional warfare with modern technology, but the tanks supplied were not very worthy and had been supplied in small numbers. The situation for the tanks on the Nationalist side was so bad that they re-used captured Russian armor. The lessons learned from Spain's tank employment were not always in what was done or accomplished, but in what was not done and was not accomplished.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2021
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Spain, although often relegated to the sidelines of European affairs, found itself at the center of a significant upheaval when the Civil War erupted in 1936. Within a matter of months, three out of the four major European powers, Italy, Germany, and the Soviet Union, decided to intervene in the conflict. Spain, with its unique geographical and political situation, emerged as the ideal testing ground for conducting controlled and realistic experiments with live weapons and troops.

This book delves into the theories and contributions of the three main actors who armed the warring parties in the Civil War. It explores how these contributions shaped the course of combat and how the lessons learned were applied to tank warfare in World War II. The use of tanks in the Spanish Civil War marked a significant fusion of traditional warfare with modern technology. However, the challenges posed by the conflict did not provide straightforward answers to the question of infantry-armor cooperation. The tanks supplied to the Republicans were not of high quality and were in limited numbers, despite their efforts to organize an "armored division." On the Nationalist side, the situation was even more dire, with tanks being reused captured Russian armor due to the lack of available alternatives.

Despite these limitations, the Spanish Civil War offered valuable lessons in tank employment. However, it is important to note that the lessons learned were not always evident in what was done or achieved but rather in what was not done and left unaccomplished. The deployment of tanks in Spain highlighted the importance of coordination between infantry and armor, the need for proper training and maintenance of tank crews, and the significance of logistics in supporting tank operations. It also exposed the limitations of tanks in certain terrain, such as urban areas and mountainous regions, where their maneuverability and visibility were compromised.

Furthermore, the Spanish Civil War demonstrated the political and strategic implications of tank warfare. The use of tanks by both sides highlighted the power and influence of the major powers, as well as the potential for technological advancements to shape the course of conflicts. It also raised questions about the ethical and humanitarian considerations of using tanks in warfare, particularly in civilian areas and against non-combatants.

In conclusion, the Spanish Civil War was a pivotal moment in the history of tank warfare, offering valuable lessons and insights that were later applied to World War II. While Spain's role in the conflict may have been secondary, its experiences with tanks provided a foundation for the development of tank tactics and strategies that would play a critical role in the outcome of the war. The use of tanks in Spain marked a significant milestone in the evolution of armored warfare, and its lessons continue to be relevant in modern military operations.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781612009704