This week, Spanish Civil War Republicans by Juan de Churchill
The Republican faction, also known as the Loyalist faction, was the side in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939 that supported the government of the Second Spanish Republic against the Nationalist or rebel faction of the military rebellion. They were a much divided alliance of Democrats, Basque Nationalists, Catalan Nationalists, Union members, Pro-Stalin Communists, Pro-Trotsky Communists, Syndicalist, Foreign Volunteers and Soviet Advisors. So divided, that ultimately despite having control of the main industrial areas and the main population centres they were unable to effectively coordinate a successful military campaign and despite some heroic actions they were ultimately a house divided against itself. The aid they received from the Soviet Union, Mexico had to be paid for up front, and once the Republican Government’s gold stocks ran out it ceased, unlike the aid the Nationalists received from Germany and Italy. For my Bolt Action Republican Forces I went for an early war force, allowing some more colourful units to be fielded. I found a useful set of lists online and set about building a list https://www.wargaming3d.com/2019/02/08/wargaming-the-spanish-civil-war-in-bolt-action/
HQ Group
Commander, Senior NCO, Flag Bearer and a “motivational” Commissar.
Support
Maxim MMG
T26 (Soviet development of the British Vickers tank) Light Infantry Tank, of which 281 were supplied to Republican Forces – far superior to the German Panzer I’s in service with Nationalist Forces.
The core of my force is built around two squads of Carabineros, paramilitary gendarmerie normally charged with protecting borders and coastlines before the Civil War. Like the Civil Guards they largely stayed loyal to the Government from the start, and proved their value as elite trained troops for the rest of the war.
2 x 12 men Squads, Regular or Veteran tough fighters, with one SMG per squad, plus one LMG crewed by volunteers.
Next, we have two squads of Workers Militia, from groups later suppressed in a brutal civil war, within a civil war by the Stalinist communists.
One 12 man squad of POUM (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista ) Anti-Stalinist Communists – my hat tip to George Orwell who fought in their ranks, with an improvised armoured truck for support. Inexperienced. Flag bearer.
One 12 man squad of CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo) anarcho-syndicalist Union militia. Inexperienced. Flag bearer.
Now if only this damn pandemic would go away they might make a tabletop…
Happy Thanks Giving to our Tercio Abraham Lincoln comrades!
Leave a comment