Battle of the Ebro

The largest and bloodiest battle of the Spanish Civil War, fought from July to November 1938. A major Republican offensive across the Ebro River ended in Nationalist victory and severe losses on both sides.

Ebro River: A river in northeastern Spain that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Republican forces crossed this river to begin the offensive and fought to hold its eastern-bank bridgeheads.
Aragon Offensive: A Nationalist campaign in 1938 that captured much of Aragon and reached the Mediterranean coast. Its success divided Republican territory and helped make a counteroffensive near the Ebro urgent.
Catalonia Offensive: The Nationalist campaign to conquer Catalonia from December 1938 to February 1939. With the Republican army depleted, Nationalist forces launched this campaign soon after the Ebro battle.
Battle of the Sierra de Pàndols: A series of engagements for the Sierra de Pàndols during the Battle of the Ebro. Republican troops defended this rugged height against repeated Nationalist attacks.
Battle of Gandesa: A major engagement of the Battle of the Ebro around the town of Gandesa in 1938. Republican forces failed to capture this key town, halting their advance inland.
Fall of Barcelona: The capture of Barcelona by Nationalist forces on January 26, 1939. The Ebro defeat left the Republic weakened before this decisive loss of its second-largest city.
Spanish Republican exile: The mass flight of Republicans from Spain during and after the Spanish Civil War. The Ebro defeat preceded the collapse of Catalonia and the flight of hundreds of thousands into France.
Battle of the Sierra de Cavalls: A major engagement for the Sierra de Cavalls during the Battle of the Ebro. The Nationalist capture of this ridge threatened Republican positions around the Ebro bridgeheads.
Spanish Republican Army: The armed forces of the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. Its Ebro offensive aimed to relieve pressure on the Republic's eastern front and regain the initiative.
Juan Negrín: A Spanish physician and politician who served as prime minister of the Republic from 1937 to 1939. Negrín's government backed continued resistance, and the Ebro offensive sought to strengthen its position.

Linked from 7 pages