Chapter 120: The Spanish Civil War

On the night of July 19, 1934. Berlin, the Führer’s Residence.

“My Führer,” Gascoigne, as the head of German intelligence, controlled many of Germany’s clandestine intelligence channels. At this moment, he was standing before Akado’s desk, looking at his idol with an expression of worship. “Based on your predictions, we have strengthened our surveillance of Spain. It has now been confirmed that just yesterday, the troops in Spanish Morocco have rebelled.”

Akado nodded. “Mm, since that’s the case, then everything will proceed according to plan. Organize our chain of interests in Spain so that we can name our price to our Spanish friends when the time comes.”

Due to the outbreak and continuation of the economic crisis, Spain, on the western edge of Europe, was in a state of domestic turmoil. The communists had gained control of most regions, and Spain was increasingly on the verge of becoming a second Soviet Union.

On July 18, 1934, the Spanish army stationed in Morocco clashed with local communists. This incident, pushed by the British government, rapidly escalated, triggering a chain of vicious reactions in the Spanish colonies.

The garrison in Morocco and local businessmen, who could no longer tolerate the oppression and exploitation by mainland Spain and the Republican government, came to an agreement. They eliminated a number of pro-Republican officials and soldiers and raised the banner of opposition to the Republican government.

The Spanish colonial army in Morocco and the Canary Islands, instigated by generals such as Francisco Franco and Mola, launched a rebellion. The rebellion quickly spread to major cities on the mainland such as Cádiz, Seville, Zaragoza, and Burgos. The majority of the army and air force, as well as the “Foreign Legion” composed of Moroccans, joined the rebellion.

This force of over 120,000 men appeared to be much stronger than the Spanish Republican Army. Under the command of Franco, Mola, and others, they achieved some success at the beginning of the war.

Taking advantage of the Republican government’s indecisiveness, Franco’s army quickly occupied Spanish Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and various provinces in the north and southwest of mainland Spain. On July 30, they established a “National Defense Junta” in Burgos, attempting a pincer attack on Madrid from the north and south to seize national power.

However, the good times did not last. Due to opposition in the British Parliament and a less than optimistic domestic economic situation, the original plan to support General Franco was ultimately aborted. Franco’s army lost its only source of external support, and its offensive gradually slowed down, which gave the Republican government a chance to breathe.

The Republican government traded land for time to react. After the civil war broke out, people from all walks of life in Spain responded to the call of the Popular Front, taking up arms to defend their Republic. Within two days, a total of 300,000 people had signed up to join the militia organization—the People’s Guard.

Subsequently, because they could not get the support Franco had promised, the rebellions started by Franco’s supporters in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Málaga, and Bilbao were quickly suppressed.

At this moment, Franco’s army only controlled the economically backward provinces of Andalusia in the south and Galicia, Navarre, and Old Castile in the north. The Republican Army controlled all the industrial and political centers, major ports, main transportation lines, and important agricultural areas. With the war at this stage, everyone could see that the situation was beginning to turn against Franco.

In Franco’s general headquarters in Seville, Franco and several of his confidants were studying their next move. The second-in-command of Franco’s army, Mola, had already been sent to the Córdoba front to command the defensive operations.

“The war cannot continue like this!” Franco said, frowning at the operational map on the table. “Although we have established a foothold in places like Cádiz and Huelva, the Republican Army still holds a vast majority.”

“General Franco! The British government has not fulfilled its promised support for us; they are still waiting and watching. If we continue to fight like this, we will run out of ammunition and food,” a general standing behind Franco said, trying to persuade him. “The Republican Army has the support of the French Communist Party and the Soviet government. They are more willing to fight a war of attrition than we are.”

“We can no longer count on the British to fulfill their promises! Perhaps we should look for more steadfast supporters,” an aide in a suit stepped forward and said to Franco. “There are many powerful countries in Europe that fear the expansion of communism. They do not want to see a communist state appear on the western edge of Europe.”

“Of course I know that,” Franco sighed. “But in order to strike first, I only obtained a promise from the British government and did not contact other countries. If I go to them now, I will be forced to give up significant national interests.”

“But, General! If we don’t send our people to contact other countries at this time, we will really lose this war! Once the Republican Army crushes our forces, our fate will be no different from that of traitors who sold out the country,” the aide said.

“That’s right! We can’t just sit here and wait to die! We can lease ports, sell mines, even allow the armies of those countries to be stationed on our territory, but we cannot be defeated!” the general behind Franco said loudly. “As long as we win, we can get back what we lost sooner or later! But if we fail, then we will have no chance at all.”

Franco nodded and said, “Since everyone thinks we should re-contact supporters, then let’s plan properly which country we should ask for help.”

The command post fell silent. After a few minutes, the aide who had spoken first tentatively suggested a country in a not-so-loud voice. “How about we send someone to Italy to try?”

“Italy won’t work,” Franco shook his head. “As far as I know, Italy, like Britain, is still too preoccupied with its own economic crisis to help. If they screw us over again like the British did, we will truly be doomed beyond recovery.”

“Then let’s go to Germany! At least the Germans did not suffer very heavy losses in this economic crisis. They have already emerged from it and have profited greatly from the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia,” the aide thought for a moment and suggested again. “If there is one country that has the ability to support us, then I think that country must be Germany.”

“The Germans have been on a roll lately. They are heading east all the way, looking like they are preparing to be the vanguard of the Western countries against the Soviets. Is it possible they have no interest in a place like Spain?” Franco shook his head skeptically.

“We have to try,” the general behind Franco said. “As long as the terms we offer them are good enough, they will definitely be tempted!”

“We can try,” Franco nodded. “If it were me, I wouldn’t give up a large, tangible benefit right in front of me for the sake of a vague enemy. Germany’s leader, Akado Rudolph, is not a fool. On the contrary, he is very good at grasping strategic direction. He will not make a mistake at such a critical moment.”

At this point, Franco looked at his aide, patted him on the shoulder, and said solemnly, “I don’t have many trustworthy people on my side. You go to Germany yourself. Remember! Do your utmost to win their support! But where you need to bargain, you can’t be too timid! A price that is too cheap will only make the Germans look down on us! Understood?”

“Report!” a soldier entered from outside, shouting loudly. “Reporting to the General! According to intelligence from our scouts, Republican forces are gathering in the Córdoba region, numbering around 10,000.”

“It seems the Republicans don’t intend to give us a chance to correct our mistakes,” Franco said with a bitter smile. He then walked to the map and studied it carefully. After a few seconds, he nodded and instructed the signalman who had come in, “Send a telegram ordering General Mola to lead the troops in Córdoba to immediately deploy a defensive line and prepare for street fighting.”

Then he looked back at his aide. “The situation is critical. Whether we can achieve final victory now depends on you.”

The aide nodded. “Rest assured, General! I will do my utmost to win Germany’s support!”

“Then, from now on, you are my personal special envoy. Go and prepare! I will arrange for you to rush to the city of Cádiz tonight, take a boat to Italy from there, and from Italy, head to Germany!”

The Spanish envoy did not delay in the slightest. That night, he rushed to the southwestern port of Cádiz, took a boat to Italy, and from there boarded a train to Austria, Germany. After seven days of travel, he finally arrived in the German capital, Berlin.

After stating his purpose, he was taken to a duty room by two SS men and strictly searched, while another SS officer informed the Führer’s Guard Office of his arrival.

“It seems your prediction was accurate,” Ger said with a smile, telling Akado the news of the Spanish envoy’s arrival. “It wasn’t easy for him to get here. According to our intelligence network, Franco’s army lost Córdoba a day ago.”

Akado laughed out loud. “Arrange for him to come in. This time, they have delivered the benefits right to our doorstep themselves. It would be a shame not to accept them.”

“Hehe,” Anna giggled, covering her mouth. “My Führer, you are so humorous.”

A dozen minutes later, the Spanish envoy was invited into the Führer’s Residence and sat before the German Führer, Akado. He urgently explained his purpose, then looked eagerly at the German leader. “Great German Führer, I hope you can help Spain escape the terrorist rule of communism! I believe the Spanish people will be grateful for your greatness and generosity.”

“People who know me know that I’m a miser,” Akado said with a smile, sizing up the Spanish envoy. He stood up, walked over, and shook his hand. “I don’t buy new clothes for months, saving my meager salary to donate to national construction.”

“Führer… Sir,” the Spanish envoy really didn’t know what title to use after Führer; Excellency or Highness didn’t seem quite right, so he had to choose the word “Sir.” “I greatly admire your selflessness and greatness, but let’s talk about the Spanish Civil War. After all, my compatriots are suffering.”

Akado nodded, then made a gesture inviting him to sit. “As you wish.”