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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Arlequín on 13 June 2008, 12:24:21 AM

Title: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Arlequín on 13 June 2008, 12:24:21 AM
I came across this site commemorating the Battle of Guadalajara  in the SCW. It's in Spanish, but there is a (poor) translation facility built in for English. There is a wealth of detail here and it's well worth viewing if you are interested in the SCW.

http://guadalajara1937.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 (http://guadalajara1937.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: WillieB on 19 June 2008, 08:42:59 PM
Very interesting site Jim. The TOE for the CTV is invaluable- I never knew the names for the individual battallions and this adds a lot of 'flavor' to the whole thing. Thanks for that!
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Arlequín on 21 June 2008, 09:16:46 AM
There is quite a bit out there in Spanish, even the Wikipedia entries contain more detail than the English ones. Unfortunately not being a Spanish speaker I probably miss more than I find  lol

I was quite surprised to find the individual Militia units had names too, it's so much more fun to refer to your unit as the 'Leones Rojos' rather than 'that militia battalion'  :)
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Poliorketes on 21 June 2008, 01:12:24 PM
I strongly recommend Anthony Beevor, the battle for spain
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Helen on 23 June 2008, 04:37:48 AM
I strongly recommend Anthony Beevor, the battle for spain

Ditto from me! A great read!  8)
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Arlequín on 23 June 2008, 11:29:21 AM
I strongly recommend Anthony Beevor, the battle for spain

Ditto from me! A great read!  8)

Thanks, I have it. I'd say it was the best general read on the War, with 2nd and 3rd place going to;

The Spanish Civil War - Paul Preston
The Spanish Civil War - Hugh Thomas

La Batalla del Ebro - Jorge M. Reverte (Excellent in-depth study of the campaign, particularly if your Spanish is good). Reverte has done one on the Siege of Madrid too, I don't have that one so can't comment.

Between Two Fires - David Baird (Deals with mainly the post-war guerrillas operating in Andalucia against the Franco Government, some excellent ideas for skirmish games and a chance to use your Guardia Civil).

Another good read is 'Ghosts of Spain' by Giles Tremlett. Although it is not a SCW per se, it deals with how the Spanish are coming to terms with dealing with the war's legacy and the Franco government's suppression of discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, very human and very orientated to an outsider's view of the Spanish, so you don't need to be an expert on Spanish history to follow it.

'Guerra' by Jason Webster is a similar book and concentrates on the legacy of fascism and the war, starting with the discovery of a mass grave on the farm he'd bought, his neighbour's recollections of the event (her family were some of the victims) and branches out a little from there. Not as good as 'Ghosts' and quite dark in it's outlook in places, but worth reading nonetheless.
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Gallowglass on 23 June 2008, 06:16:01 PM
I strongly recommend Anthony Beevor, the battle for spain

Yup. great book. I understand that the revised version is a better, more balanced view (I've only ever read that version, so I've no idea if that's actually true or not).

I have the Paul Preston book too.
Title: Re: Guadalajara 1937
Post by: Helen on 24 June 2008, 08:10:02 AM
Here is a link to some nice armour for the SCW:
http://www.o5m6.de/espana.html