The Aceituna Campaign took place during the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, link ...
in 1936. In December 1936, the
Nationalists
Nationalism is an idea and movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state. As a movement, nationalism tends to promote the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people), Smith, Anthony. ''Nationalism: The ...
launched an offensive in order to occupy the town of
Andújar
Andújar () is a Spanish municipality of 38,539 people (2005) in the province of Jaén, in Andalusia. The municipality is divided by the Guadalquivir River. The northern part of the municipality is where the Natural Park of the Sierra de Andú ...
. The Nationalists occupied and defeated the
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
Army at
Lopera, but failed to occupy Andújar.
Background
In December 1936,
Queipo de Llano
Gonzalo Queipo de Llano y Sierra (5 February 1875 – 9 March 1951) was a Spanish military leader who rose to prominence during the July 1936 coup and then the Spanish Civil War and the White Terror.
Biography
A career army man, Queipo de Llan ...
started an offensive in the Córdoba province in order to capture the rich olive-growing area of
Andújar
Andújar () is a Spanish municipality of 38,539 people (2005) in the province of Jaén, in Andalusia. The municipality is divided by the Guadalquivir River. The northern part of the municipality is where the Natural Park of the Sierra de Andú ...
, and to relieve the besieged civil guards of the
Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza's sanctuary.
The offensive
The Nationalist launched their offensive on 13 December, with 2,000
requetes and
moorish troops (later 4,000). On 20 December, the Nationalist occupied the town of
Bujalance, on 22 December
Pedro Abad and
Villafranca
Villafranca (Basque: ''Alesbes'') is a town and municipality located in the province and the autonomous community (Comunidad Foral) of Navarre, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo ...
. The
Spanish Republican Army
The Spanish Republican Army ( es, Ejército de la República Española) was the main branch of the Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic between 1931 and 1939.
It became known as People's Army of the Republic (''Ejército Popular de la Repà ...
decided to launch a counteroffensive in order to halt the Nationalist advance and a new Army of the South was organised, under the command of the General Martinez Monje. The
XIV International Brigade
300px, A memorial commemorating the International Brigades
The XIV International Brigade was one of several international brigades that fought for the Spanish Second Republic during the Spanish Civil War.
History and structure
It was raised on ...
was sent to the Córdoba front. On 24 December the 9th company of the XIV International Brigade (600 men) was decimated by the Nationalist troops at
Villa del Rio (400 dead) and the Nationalist occupied Villa del Rio and Lopera and on 25 December
Montoro
Montoro is a city and municipality in the Córdoba Province of southern Spain, in the north-central part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.
Overview
It is located about east-northeast of the capital of the province, Córdoba. In 2008, t ...
. On 27 December the XIV International Brigade launched an attack in order to recover the town of
Lopera. The Brigade suffered appalling casualties and the attack was called off on 29 December. By 31 December the Nationalist occupied the town of
Porcuna
Porcuna is a village and municipality in the province of Jaén in Andalusia, Spain, 42 km from Jaén and 50 km from Córdoba. The primary occupation of the 6,990 inhabitants is olive growing. The main tourist attractions are the tower ...
and halted their advance.
Aftermath
The Nationalists occupied of olive-growing land (hence "Aceituna"), some towns and the hydro-electric station at
El Carpio. Nevertheless, the Nationalist, did not occupy Andújar and on 1 May 1937 the Republican Army stormed the Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza's sanctuary.
[Thomas, Hugh. (2001). ''The Spanish Civil War.'' Penguin Books. London. p.611-612]
See also
*
*
References
Bibliography
*Beevor, Antony. (2006). ''The Battle for Spain. The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939.'' Penguin Books. London.
*Moreno Gómez, Francisco. (2008). ''1936: el genocidio franquista en Córdoba.'' Editorial CrÃtica. Barcelona.
*Thomas, Hugh. (2001). ''The Spanish Civil War.'' Penguin Books. London. {{ISBN, 978-0-14-101161-5
Battles of the Spanish Civil War
Battles in Andalusia
1936 in Spain
Conflicts in 1936
History of the province of Córdoba, Spain
December 1936 events