Spanish Civil War - Communists and Anarchist Alliance Holds

In this four-way battle, players took control of one of 4 factions - Communists International Brigades, Anarchist Militia, Regular Nationalist Army and Carlist Requetes. Each entered from one of the four corners and the faction that was deemed in control of the junction at the centre of the table, would claim the victory.

The Nationalists were dogged from the beginning when their captured T26 tank broke down and they were unable to repair it. The Carlists killed quiet a lot of the Anarchists, but didn't really make a serious play for the central objective. The Anarchists made a ponderous approach to the objective, but by the time they got there their untrustworthy allies, the Communists, were already well ensconced in the park alongside the objective. The Communists made a sensible advance upon the centre, aided by the fact that their T26s didn't break down once.

In the end, the Communists won handsomely, especially in light of the fact that the other factions were all close to having morale problems, due to casualties, and the reluctance of the Anarchists to break their shaky alliance.

!Viva Franco! - Another win for the (slightly more) efficient Nationalists

The players swopped sides this time, although the Nationalists prevailed again. Despite having superior armour, one of the Republican T26s permanently broke down, whilst a Nationalist captured T26 took out an enemy armoured car and performed a solo flanking manoeuvre.

The highlight of the encounter was probably the when the CV33 tankettes came out fighting by machine gunning and 'flamethrowing' an International Brigade Company caught out in the open, completely annihilating them.

In the end the better quality of the Nationalists, and slightly better infantry support weapons, ensured another victory for the Francoists.

!Viva Espana!

Spanish Civil War Wargame

Spanish Civil War - "Arriba Espana!" - A Convincing Nationalist Victory

In this exciting encounter between the Nationalists and Republicans, Nationalist superior resolve, tank crew training and overall generalship carried the day. Highlights included a CV33 tankette knocking out a T26 with a flamethrower; a text book assault on a defended farm by the Foreign Legion, well supported by artillery, mortars and tankettes; combat in and around a church, which changed hands a couple of times as Carlist Requetes and Communist International Brigadiers fought for control; two T26s breaking down and remaining stuck in unfavourable positions.

All figures are by Empress Miniatures. Tanks are by Warlord Games, mostly. Rules used are Rapid Fire (with SCW appropriate special rules).