The Spanish Civil War was a brutal conflict that lasted from 1936 to 1939. It was fought between the Republicans, who were loyal to the democratically elected government, and the Nationalists, who were led by General Francisco Franco. The war resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people and left Spain deeply divided.
One of the most infamous events of the Spanish Civil War was the bombing of Madrid. On April 26, 1937, German and Italian planes bombed the Basque town of Guernica, killing hundreds of civilians. This event became a symbol for the brutality of war and inspired Pablo Picasso’s famous painting, “Guernica.”
But who was responsible for bombing Madrid? The answer is not as clear-cut as one might think.
The Nationalists
The Nationalists had a motive for bombing Madrid. The city was the capital of Republican Spain and a major industrial hub. By destroying it, they could strike a major blow against their enemies.
Furthermore, there is evidence that suggests that Franco himself ordered the bombing. In an intercepted message from May 1937, Franco allegedly told his subordinates to “continue with energetic bombings” until Madrid fell.
However, there is also evidence that suggests that the Nationalists did not bomb Madrid. For example, German and Italian planes were responsible for bombing Guernica but there is no evidence that they also bombed Madrid.
The Republicans
Some have argued that it was actually the Republicans who bombed Madrid in an attempt to pin it on their enemies. They had a motive for doing so – if they could prove that the Nationalists were responsible for such a heinous act, they could turn international opinion against them.
However, this theory has been largely debunked by historians. There is little evidence to suggest that the Republicans had either the means or motive to carry out such an attack.
The International Brigades
Another theory is that the International Brigades, a group of foreign volunteers who fought on behalf of the Republicans, were responsible for bombing Madrid. This theory is based on the fact that the Brigades had access to Soviet-made SB-2 bombers, which were capable of carrying out such an attack.
However, there is little evidence to support this theory. While it is true that the Brigades had access to these bombers, there is no evidence to suggest that they used them to bomb Madrid.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it remains unclear who was responsible for bombing Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. While some have pointed fingers at the Nationalists or Republicans, there is little concrete evidence to support these claims. The truth may never be known for certain but what we do know is that this event was a tragic and devastating moment in Spain’s history.