MUSSOLINI’S ARMY
During the Spanish Civil War, tens of thousands of Italian soldiers fought in Spain to support the fascist Nationalist forces of Francisco Franco
The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) split the world down ideological lines. Those who supported the left-leaning government of the Second Spanish Republic travelled to Spain in their thousands to join the volunteer International Brigades and other associated groups. Consisting of socialists, communists, anarchists and democrats, these pro-Republican foreign volunteers did not receive official recognition or assistance from their countries of origin such as France, the United States and United Kingdom.
On the other hand, supporters of the Nationalist military junta led by General Francisco Franco firmly included Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Portugal. Nationalist forces received supplies of munitions and other equipment as well as air and naval support from these far-right governments. The most infamous example of this foreign intervention was the bombing of Guernica in 1937 when German and Italian aircraft bombed the Basque town. However, what is less well known is that Italy provided the Nationalists with tens of thousands of soldiers who fought across Spain in numerous battles and campaigns.
Fascist volunteers
Ever since Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy, he had developed contacts with right-wing groups in Spain. He hosted Spanish politicians and generals in Rome in 1934 who were opposed to the legitimately elected Second Republic and promised them arms and financial support if civil war broke out.
When the war began in 1936, 27 countries – including Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union – officially signed a Non-Intervention Agreement to avoid military interference in Spain. Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union did not abide by the agreement, with Mussolini signing his own secret agreement with the Nationalists. In exchange for military support, the Nationalists agreed to allow Italy to construct bases in Spain in the event of a war with France.
At first, Mussolini sent material aid to the Nationalists that included artillery, tanks and aircraft, but Italian soldiers soon began to fight in Spain. These troops were initially Blackshirts – volunteer fascist militiamen who were personally loyal to Mussolini. At the same time, volunteers from the Italian army, navy and air force formed into an expeditionary force called Corpo Truppe Volontarie (Corps of Volunteer Troops) in December 1936. The formation of the CTV was important because the Republican government still controlled Spain’s navy and air force.
Mussolini decided to send the regular CTV on 12 December 1936 after Franco’s failed offensive against Madrid. Under the command of General Mari
