Was Madrid Bombed in the Spanish Civil War?

By Michael Ferguson

The Spanish Civil War, which began in July 1936 and ended in April 1939, was a bloody conflict between the Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco and the Republican government forces. One of the most controversial events of this war was the bombing of Madrid.

Background

In November 1936, the Nationalist forces launched an offensive to take Madrid, which was the capital of the Republican government. As a result, the Republican forces were pushed back towards the city center, and fighting intensified.

The Bombing of Madrid

On November 14th, 1936, German and Italian planes sent by Franco’s allies dropped bombs on Madrid. This was one of the first times in history that civilians were Targeted by aerial bombing. The attack caused widespread damage to buildings and killed hundreds of people.

Controversy Surrounding the Bombing

There is still controversy surrounding who was responsible for this attack. Some historians argue that it was carried out by German and Italian pilots with direct orders from Franco’s government. Others claim that it was a false flag operation carried out by Republican forces to gain international sympathy.

The Impact of the Bombing

Regardless of who carried out the attack, its impact on Madrid was significant. The bombing destroyed homes and buildings, including hospitals and schools. The psychological impact on civilians was also significant; many people were traumatized by what they had seen.

The Legacy of the Bombing

The bombing of Madrid is still remembered today as a tragic event in Spanish history. It served as a precursor to World War II, as it demonstrated how aerial bombing could be used as a weapon against civilians.

  • Conclusion:
  • The bombing of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War remains a controversial event that has left a lasting impact on Spanish history. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the devastating toll that war can take on civilians.

Sources:

  • https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/spanish-civil-war
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37982000
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/14/nearly-years-ago-madrid-was-bombed-civilians-first-time-history/