Chapter 9
Mallet II
Republican forces attack near the Cartagena, December 1936
Soon after initial deployment, units were put under command of Spanish General Staff as a 16th (“Marx”) and 17th (“Lenin”) Brigades Internationales. Komkor N. Vatutin kept direct command of the forces, but operational use of the newly founded brigades (according to the governments agreement) was left for the decisions of Republicans.
Battle of Cartagena (11.12.1936-13.12.1936)
First assignment of 16th and 17th Brigade was ‘clean & sweep’ operation in the Cartagena area. Port of Cartagena, located on the eastern coast of Spain (province Murcia) was strategically important as a potential naval base of Nationalists, and leaving it in their hands could have grave consequences for supply line Odessa-Valentia.
According to the republican intelligence, the Cartagena area was defended by Fuerzas del Sahara, one of the regiments relocated by Germans by air from Northern Africa. Led by General Moscardo, 2,5 thousand strong regiment defended positions in rough terrain of Cartagena outskirts. Already weakened but continuous skirmishes with Republican forces, units in this area were in serious disadvantage compared to over 20 thousand strong expeditionary force. On the other hand, hard terrain and experience in fighting in this province favoured defenders.
Gen. Moscardo troopers on their posiotions
Offensive operations were started by attacks of Republican airforce. Around 5 p.m. (with no retaliation from Nationalist side) 2 squadrons of SB-2 “Natasha” bombers delivered it’s payload on the enemy positions guarding main road 30 km north of Cartagena. Co-ordinated with the attack, divisional mortars followed with smoke curtain effectively blocking enemy sight on the 3 km long section of the front.
Just after the first salvos were delivered, soldiers of 16th Brigade started frontal assault on the Nationalist positions. Highly confused by bombs and smoke shells general Moscado troopers didn’t stand – their carefully prepared positions were no use in mass, close quarter fight with much stronger enemy. After 2 hours of fighting the main hills covering the road to Cartagena were taken, opening the road to the city. Shattered remains of 2nd and 3rd battalions of Fuerzas del Sahara withdrawn under cover of the night in the city direction.
Assault left 16th brigade unable to pursue enemy – after the bayonet fighting all the squads were mixed out, and smoke and darkness resulted in mass confusion on the both sides. Prepared for that, komkor Vatutin ordered 17th brigade to advance.
Pursued and routed remains of Nationalist were unable to put up serious fight and after quick fight Cartagena was taken 12th of December 1936. The most important target, naval base facilities, was taken by the surprise thanks to the fast action of recon group led by captain Tcherniagin (awarded for that with Red Banner Medal).
Fast and decisive victory resulted in securing southern front of Republica. With the loss of Cartagena, Nationalist has lost a chance to block Soviet naval supply lines and received big propaganda hit. Rather static war were now put in motion again, and Republicans were reading themselves to develop this success.
Battle of Burgos (23.01.1937-27.02.1937)
With southern front secured, Republicans high command decided to turn north. Plan “Giaur” was the attempt to break the front in the northern part of the country, seize temporary Nationalists capital in Burgos and ultimately secure all the northern part of the country. As the spearhead of the advance Republican command decided to send 16th and 17th brigades, followed by the rest forces – 2 reserve infantry divisions and one mixed unit consisting of various foreign volunteers brigades.
Opposition was estimated on 20-30 thousand troops, led by gen. Varela. In rough terrain of northern Spain those units could put up serious fight. What’s more important, their position was much more easy to easy reinforce, while Republican attack was supposed to use one main road leading to Burgos. Still, odds were on the Republican side – quick victory in Cartagena and fresh, good equipped brigades could break the stalemate in the area.
Assault on the positions of 21st division, January 1937
Operation has been started at the dawn of January 23rd, when infiltration groups of 17th brigade took by the surprise HQ of 21st infantry division, effectively disrupting all defence efforts on the area. Even surprised, outnumbered and without proper command, elements of 21st division defended with skill of well trained, regular troopers. After the first day assault teams of 16th brigade were only 1 km closer to Burgos, and ferocious counterattacks of Nationalists took heavy toll of soviet troopers.
On the next day the attack was renewed, and this time 16th brigade was supported by elements of 2 Republican infantry divisions. Prepared for that course of events, gen. Varela ordered night redeployment on the second line of the defence. Missing the main target, advancing republican units were further slowed down by minefields and sniper fire.
Group of Legion Condor tanks, Pz II model, February 1937
The advance was slowed even more by newly arriving units of the Nationalists. During the next 3 weeks the main defence line was assaulted many times by Republicans, but carefully prepared defence and ability to fast redeployment ultimately swung the balance of battle on the gen. Varela side. While around 18th of February Republican side used it’s last reserves to push remains of 21st division 2 km north, Varela still had ace in his sleeve – 2 fresh divisions of foreign volunteers, supported by tank battalion of legion Condor. At the 23rd of February, under air cover of Legion Condor aces counteroffensive has began. Weakened by 4 weeks of constant fight, Republican forces didn’t have a chance and after 2 days General Staff decided to withdraw battered troops on the pre-“Giaur” line.
Ju-87 "Stuka" diving attack, Burgos area, February 1937
The units of 16th and 17th brigade ended the battle with serious casualties. In many companies only 20-30% of the soldiers were ready to fight, while the rest were either wounded, missing, or dead. During one of the bombing raids of Legion Condor’s “Stuka’s” few bombs were dropped close to the HQ of the 11th Corps, wounding many officers, including commander of the 16th brigade, komdiv Georgij Fadejev. For the next few months, both units were moved to the reserve, waiting for the reinforcements and reorganising after the Burgos bloodbath.
Battle of Burgos had serious propaganda consequences. Since the offensive has failed, support for the Republican government dropped. Already weak coalition of various communist, anarchist and liberal parties started long debate about responsibility for the defeat. Soon the debate has moved to the streets and already high tension between Communist Party of Spain (Partido Communista de Espana - PCE) supported by Soviet Union and Marxist Party (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista - POUM) has risen even more. What was needed to recreate morale in Republica was the great military success, cleaning the stain of “Giaur” offensive...
Mallet II
Republican forces attack near the Cartagena, December 1936
Soon after initial deployment, units were put under command of Spanish General Staff as a 16th (“Marx”) and 17th (“Lenin”) Brigades Internationales. Komkor N. Vatutin kept direct command of the forces, but operational use of the newly founded brigades (according to the governments agreement) was left for the decisions of Republicans.
Battle of Cartagena (11.12.1936-13.12.1936)
First assignment of 16th and 17th Brigade was ‘clean & sweep’ operation in the Cartagena area. Port of Cartagena, located on the eastern coast of Spain (province Murcia) was strategically important as a potential naval base of Nationalists, and leaving it in their hands could have grave consequences for supply line Odessa-Valentia.
According to the republican intelligence, the Cartagena area was defended by Fuerzas del Sahara, one of the regiments relocated by Germans by air from Northern Africa. Led by General Moscardo, 2,5 thousand strong regiment defended positions in rough terrain of Cartagena outskirts. Already weakened but continuous skirmishes with Republican forces, units in this area were in serious disadvantage compared to over 20 thousand strong expeditionary force. On the other hand, hard terrain and experience in fighting in this province favoured defenders.
Gen. Moscardo troopers on their posiotions
Offensive operations were started by attacks of Republican airforce. Around 5 p.m. (with no retaliation from Nationalist side) 2 squadrons of SB-2 “Natasha” bombers delivered it’s payload on the enemy positions guarding main road 30 km north of Cartagena. Co-ordinated with the attack, divisional mortars followed with smoke curtain effectively blocking enemy sight on the 3 km long section of the front.
Just after the first salvos were delivered, soldiers of 16th Brigade started frontal assault on the Nationalist positions. Highly confused by bombs and smoke shells general Moscado troopers didn’t stand – their carefully prepared positions were no use in mass, close quarter fight with much stronger enemy. After 2 hours of fighting the main hills covering the road to Cartagena were taken, opening the road to the city. Shattered remains of 2nd and 3rd battalions of Fuerzas del Sahara withdrawn under cover of the night in the city direction.
Assault left 16th brigade unable to pursue enemy – after the bayonet fighting all the squads were mixed out, and smoke and darkness resulted in mass confusion on the both sides. Prepared for that, komkor Vatutin ordered 17th brigade to advance.
Pursued and routed remains of Nationalist were unable to put up serious fight and after quick fight Cartagena was taken 12th of December 1936. The most important target, naval base facilities, was taken by the surprise thanks to the fast action of recon group led by captain Tcherniagin (awarded for that with Red Banner Medal).
Fast and decisive victory resulted in securing southern front of Republica. With the loss of Cartagena, Nationalist has lost a chance to block Soviet naval supply lines and received big propaganda hit. Rather static war were now put in motion again, and Republicans were reading themselves to develop this success.
Battle of Burgos (23.01.1937-27.02.1937)
With southern front secured, Republicans high command decided to turn north. Plan “Giaur” was the attempt to break the front in the northern part of the country, seize temporary Nationalists capital in Burgos and ultimately secure all the northern part of the country. As the spearhead of the advance Republican command decided to send 16th and 17th brigades, followed by the rest forces – 2 reserve infantry divisions and one mixed unit consisting of various foreign volunteers brigades.
Opposition was estimated on 20-30 thousand troops, led by gen. Varela. In rough terrain of northern Spain those units could put up serious fight. What’s more important, their position was much more easy to easy reinforce, while Republican attack was supposed to use one main road leading to Burgos. Still, odds were on the Republican side – quick victory in Cartagena and fresh, good equipped brigades could break the stalemate in the area.
Assault on the positions of 21st division, January 1937
Operation has been started at the dawn of January 23rd, when infiltration groups of 17th brigade took by the surprise HQ of 21st infantry division, effectively disrupting all defence efforts on the area. Even surprised, outnumbered and without proper command, elements of 21st division defended with skill of well trained, regular troopers. After the first day assault teams of 16th brigade were only 1 km closer to Burgos, and ferocious counterattacks of Nationalists took heavy toll of soviet troopers.
On the next day the attack was renewed, and this time 16th brigade was supported by elements of 2 Republican infantry divisions. Prepared for that course of events, gen. Varela ordered night redeployment on the second line of the defence. Missing the main target, advancing republican units were further slowed down by minefields and sniper fire.
Group of Legion Condor tanks, Pz II model, February 1937
The advance was slowed even more by newly arriving units of the Nationalists. During the next 3 weeks the main defence line was assaulted many times by Republicans, but carefully prepared defence and ability to fast redeployment ultimately swung the balance of battle on the gen. Varela side. While around 18th of February Republican side used it’s last reserves to push remains of 21st division 2 km north, Varela still had ace in his sleeve – 2 fresh divisions of foreign volunteers, supported by tank battalion of legion Condor. At the 23rd of February, under air cover of Legion Condor aces counteroffensive has began. Weakened by 4 weeks of constant fight, Republican forces didn’t have a chance and after 2 days General Staff decided to withdraw battered troops on the pre-“Giaur” line.
Ju-87 "Stuka" diving attack, Burgos area, February 1937
The units of 16th and 17th brigade ended the battle with serious casualties. In many companies only 20-30% of the soldiers were ready to fight, while the rest were either wounded, missing, or dead. During one of the bombing raids of Legion Condor’s “Stuka’s” few bombs were dropped close to the HQ of the 11th Corps, wounding many officers, including commander of the 16th brigade, komdiv Georgij Fadejev. For the next few months, both units were moved to the reserve, waiting for the reinforcements and reorganising after the Burgos bloodbath.
Battle of Burgos had serious propaganda consequences. Since the offensive has failed, support for the Republican government dropped. Already weak coalition of various communist, anarchist and liberal parties started long debate about responsibility for the defeat. Soon the debate has moved to the streets and already high tension between Communist Party of Spain (Partido Communista de Espana - PCE) supported by Soviet Union and Marxist Party (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista - POUM) has risen even more. What was needed to recreate morale in Republica was the great military success, cleaning the stain of “Giaur” offensive...
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