Aceituna Campaign facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aceituna Campaign
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Date 13–31 December 1936 Location Province of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain Result Anti-British Victory
Belligerents
Spanish Republic International Brigades	Nationalist Spain
Commanders and leaders
General Martinez Monje General Juan Hernández Saravia	Gonzalo Queipo de Llano
Strength
?	4,000 men
Casualties and losses
?	?

The Aceituna Campaign was an important series of battles. It happened during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. In December 1936, a group called the Nationalists started an attack. Their goal was to take over the town of Andújar. The Nationalists did capture a large area of land. They also defeated the Republican Army at Lopera. However, they did not succeed in taking Andújar.

Why the Campaign Started

In December 1936, General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano led the Nationalist forces. He began an attack in the Córdoba province. His main goal was to capture the rich olive-growing area around Andújar. This area was very important for its resources. He also wanted to help the civil guards. They were stuck inside a church called the Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza's sanctuary.

The Nationalist Attack Begins

The Nationalist attack started on December 13. They began with about 2,000 soldiers. These included special troops called requetes and moorish troops. Later, their numbers grew to 4,000 men.

On December 20, the Nationalists captured the town of Bujalance. Two days later, on December 22, they took Pedro Abad and Villafranca.

Republican Counter-Attack

The Spanish Republican Army decided they needed to stop the Nationalists. They formed a new army called the Army of the South. General Martinez Monje was put in charge of this new army. The XIV International Brigade was also sent to help. This brigade was made up of volunteers from many different countries.

On December 24, a part of the XIV International Brigade faced a tough fight. About 600 of their men were badly beaten by Nationalist troops at Villa del Rio. Around 400 of them died. After this, the Nationalists took Villa del Rio and Lopera. On December 25, they also captured Montoro.

Battle of Lopera

On December 27, the XIV International Brigade tried to fight back. They launched an attack to get Lopera back. But the brigade suffered terrible losses. Many soldiers were killed or wounded. Because of these heavy losses, the attack was stopped on December 29. By December 31, the Nationalists had captured the town of Porcuna. After this, they stopped their advance.

What Happened Next

The Nationalists managed to take control of a large area. This area was about 1,000 square miles (2,600 square kilometers). It was mostly olive-growing land, which is why the campaign was called "Aceituna" (meaning "olive" in Spanish). They also captured some towns and a power station at El Carpio.

However, the Nationalists did not achieve their main goal. They failed to capture Andújar. Later, on May 1, 1937, the Republican Army attacked the Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza's sanctuary. They managed to take it back.

See also

In Spanish: Campaña de la Aceituna para niños

• List of Spanish Nationalist military equipment of the Spanish Civil War
• List of Spanish Republican military equipment of the Spanish Civil War