The Spanish Civil War 1936–39 (1): Nationalist Forces: Men-at-Arms Alejandro de Quesada Osprey Publishing

The Spanish Civil War 1936–39 (1)

Nationalist Forces

The Spanish Civil War 1936–39 (1)

Nationalist Forces

Description

The Spanish Civil War, 1936-39, was the curtain-raiser to World War II, and the major international event of the 1930s. It was the first great clash of 20th-century ideologies, between the rebel Nationalist army led by General Franco (right-wing, and aided by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy), and the Republican army of the government (left-wing, and aided by the Communist Soviet Union and many volunteers from liberal democracies). Three years of widespread campaigns involved the most modern weapons available (submachine guns, mortars, artillery, tanks, and combat aircraft operating in direct support of ground forces). The war was fought ruthlessly by both sides, and when the Nationalists secured victory they installed a dictatorship that lasted until November 1975 - the last such regime in Western Europe.

The Nationalist forces were varied in origin and appearance. Their spearhead was provided by the colonial army brought over from Spanish Morocco - the Spanish Foreign Legion, and Spanish-led Moroccan native regiments. Apart from sympathizers within the pre-war regular army, troops raised in Spain reflected a number of distinct regional traditions and political militias, and included both internal security units and foreign volunteer contingents. Weapons and equipment came from a wide variety of Spanish and foreign sources. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this first part of a two-part study depicts the fighting men of the Nationalist forces that strove to take control of Spain alongside their German and Italian allies.

Introduction: historical background/ Chronology of main events, 1931–39/ Franco's Nationalist armies: organization, orders of battle; uniforms, weapons, equipment/ Regional troops: Galicia, Andalucia, Navarra, etc./ Troops from Africa: Moroccan, African nomadic, Spanish Foreign Legion/ Security troops: Guardia Civil, Cuerpo de Seguridad/ Spanish Falange and other political militias/ Nationalist Air Force/ Nationalist Navy/ Foreign volunteers: German Legion Condor, Italian Volunteer Corps, Irish Brigade, Portuguese volunteers/ Select bibliography/ Plate commentaries/ Index

Product details

Published	May 20 2014
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	48
ISBN	9781782007821
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	40 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions	248 x 184 mm
Series	Men-at-Arms
Short code	MAA 495
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

This book concentrates on the Nationalist forces and while it is typically a uniforms and equipment book, does a nice job of condensing the conflict into the various smaller campaigns. It also covers all the different groups and militias that came together to help ensure the Nationalist victory over the Republican forces. It is a great book on the subject and one that enthusiasts of the period should not miss.

Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com
The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 (1) Nationalist Forces delivers a lot of information about a significant event in the history of 20th Century warfare within its modest 48-pages. This book is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the Spanish Civil War, its causes and the individuals who made up the Nationalist's coalition.

Roger A Rasor, IPMS/USA
Author Alejandro de Quesada tackles a complicated, convoluted subject -- and superbly shoehorns contents into just 48 pages.

David L. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com