The Guadalajara Offensive (8 March – 23 March 1937) was an engagement in the Spanish Civil War. It was fought between the Spanish Popular Army and the Italian Corpo Truppe Volontari, supported by other Nationalist units.

The battle began with an Italian offensive, beginning on 8 March and ending on 11 March. On 12 March to 14 March, the Republican forces were attacked by Spanish Nationalist units. The Republican offensive was prepared between 15 March and 18 March and was carried out from 18 March to 23 March.

Preceding activities

After the collapse of the third offensive on Madrid, Francisco Franco decided to continue with the fourth offensive, to close the pincer operation launched against the capital. The Nationalist forces, although victorious at Jarama River , were exhausted and could not create the necessary momentum to carry the operation through. However, the Italians were optimistic after the capture of Málaga, and he was sure that the Italian forces could get an easy victory, because the Republican army sustained heavy losses during the battle of Jarama River . Benito Mussolini approved of the operation and committed the Italian units to it.

The Italian commander, General Roatta, planned that his forces would surround the defences of Madrid from the north-west. After joining the Spanish Nationalist corps "Madrid" on Jarama River, they would begin the assault on Madrid. The Italian forces had to execute the main attack. The Spanish division "Soria" was present to secure the operation, and played not part in the first five days of fighting. The main attack had to begin on Guadalajara-Alcalá de Henares in the 25 km-wide pass. This region was well suited for an advance, as there were five roads of high quality running through it. Three other roads in the area went to Guadalajara, giving the possibility of capturing this town. The Nationalist forces had 35,000 soldiers, 222 cannon, 108 Fiat Ansaldo light tanks, 32 armoured cars, 3,685 cars and 60 Fiat CR 32 fighter planes.

The Republican presence in the Guadalajara region consisted mainly of 12 Division of the Spanish Popular Army under Colonel Lacalle. The divisions had 10,000 soldiers with only 5,900 rifles, 85 machineguns and 15 cannon. One company of T-26 light tanks were also sent to the area. No military engineering works were done in the Guadalajara region, because it was regarded as peaceful part of the front. The Republican Army staff was sure that the next Fascist offensive would come on the south part of front.

Italian offensive

8 March

After 30 minutes' artillery fire and air raids on the Republican positions in the pass of 50 Republican brigade, the Italians began advancing. Led by the Fiat Ansaldos , they broke throught the Republican line. The commander of 12 Division requested reinforcements of infantry and the company of tanks. The Italian assault was slowed down, mainly because fog and sleet reduced visibility down to 100 metres (110 yards) in places. The Italians captured between 10 and 12 km of terrain, including the towns of Mirabueno, Alaminos and Castejon.

9 March

The Italians continued the assault on Republican positions. The main assault was carried out with tanks, but they were again slowed down by low visibility. The Republican 50 Brigade withdrew without a fight. About 12 hours, the Italian advance was stopped by battallions of XI International Brigade (battalions involved were "E. Andre", "E.Thalman" and "Commune Paris" – with soldier mainly from Germany, France, and the Balkan countries) The Italians captured some 15 to 18 km of terrain, with the towns of Almandrones, Cogollar, Macegoso. In the evening, the first formations of Italian troops were in the suburb of Brihuega, where they slowed down to widen the breach in the Republican lines. This break in the momentum was incompatible with the blitzkrieg strategy they were supposed to follow, but under the circumstances it was a necessary move to allow the soldiers to rest.

The Republican forces in this day consisted of the XI International Brigade, two artillery batteries and two companies of infantry from 49 Brigade, 12 Division. They had 1,850 soldiers, which had 1,600 rifles 34 machine rifles, 6 cannons, 5 tanks. By the end of the day, more reinforcements started to arrive as Colonel Enrique Jurado was ordered to form IV Corps with Líster's 11 Division in the centre at the Madrid–Saragossa road at Torija , 12 Division on the left flank and 14 Division on the right.

10 March

The Republican forces got new reinforcements: XII international brigade (two battalions; Jarosław Dabrowski Battalion and Giuseppe Garibaldi Battalion), three batteries of artillery, and an understrength battalion of tanks. The Republican forces had 4,350 soldiers, 8 mortars, 16 cannon and 26 light tanks.

In the morning Italian forces, after heavy artillery and air bombardment, began the assault on the position of XI International Brigade without success. At that point they had 26,000 soldiers, 900 machineguns, 130 tanks and a large number of cannon committed to battle. The Nationalists captured the towns Miralrio and Brihuega . The latter town was taken almost unopposed.

In the afternoon, they continued to launch attacks on XI and XII International Brigades' positions, still without success. At Torija , they met the Italian Garibaldi Battalion. During the skirmish the Italian communists took the opportunity to encourage the Fascist soldiers to join the Republicans. The attacks were halted towards evening, and the Italian Nationalist units built defencive positions.

At the end of the day, Lacalle resigned his command, officially for health reasons, but probably because of his resentment over being passed over by Jurado. Command over 12 Division was given to the Italian communist Nino Nanetti .

11 March

The Italians began a successful advance on the positions of XI and XII International Brigades, who were forced to refreat down the main road. The Italian vanguard was stopped some 3 km before the town of Torija . The Spanish Nationalist division "Soria" captured the towns of Hita and Torre del Burgo.

Republican counterattacks

12 March

After concentration in the morning, the Republican forces under Líster's command launched a counterattack at noon. Close to 100 Chato and Rata fighter planes and two squadrons of Katiuska bombers had been made available at Albacete. The Nationalist Legionary Air Force Fiats were grounded on water-logged airports; the Republicans did not have this problem as the Albacete airfield had a concrete strip. After an air bombardment of the Italian positions, the Republican infantry supported by T-26 and BT-5 light tanks attacked the Italian lines. Several Italian light tanks were lost when General Roatta attempted to change the position of his motorized units in the muddy terrain; many got stuck and were easy target for strafing fighters. The advance reached Triquejera. An Italian counterattack did not regain lost terrain.

13 March

The Republican counterattack on Triqujera and Casa del Cabo, Palacio de Ibarra was launched with some success. The plan was to concentrate 11 Division under Líster and all armour units on the Saragossa road, while 14 Division under Mera crossed the River Tajuña to attack Brihuega . The Italians were warned that this might happened, but ignored advise from the Spanish chief of operations, Colonel Barroso. Mera nearly failed to cross the river, but local CNT members advised him where to place a pontoon bridge.

14–17 March

On 14 March, most of the Republican formation rested. Successful attacks were executed by the Republican airforces. The battalions Garibaldi and A. Marty captured the Palacio de Ibera. In the subsequent days the Republicans concentrated their forces.

The Republican forces now consisted of some 20,000 soldiers, 17 mortars, 28 cannon, 60 light tanks and 70 planes. The Italian and Spanish Nationalist forces consisted of some 45,000 soldiers, 70 mortars, 200 cannon, 80 light tanks and 50 planes.

18 March

At dawn, Mera led 14 Division across the pontoon bridge over the River Yajuña . They had cover from heavy sleet, but the weather also delayed the assault. After midday, the weather had improved enough to allow the Republican air force to operate. Around 13:30, Jurado gave the order to attack. Líster was slowed down by the Italian Littorio Division, arguably the best of the Italian units. 14 Division nearly managed to surround Brihuega , and the Nationalist retreated in panic. Remaining Italian soldiers were cleared out by the XI International Brigade. An Italian counterattack on Republican positions failed. The Littorio Division saved the Italians from a complete disaster when they conducted a well-organized retreat.

19–23 March

The Republican forces recaptured the cities of Gajanejos and Villaviciosa de Tajuna. Their offensive halted on the line Valdearenos – Ledanca – Hontanares, because Franco sent reserve formations which settled the line of defence between Ledanca and Hontares.

The Guadalajara Offensive was the last major Republican victory, and did much to lift morale. The Nationalists lost some 5,000 men (most of them Italian) and a considerable number of light tanks and planes. It also relieved some of the pressure on Madrid, as Franco decided to adopt a new strategy of chipping away at the Republican territories, starting in the north.

External links

• http://www.Lacucaracha.info
• Site about the Guadalajara Offensive (Spanish)