Battle of Cape Cherchell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cape Cherchell
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Republican cruiser Libertad
Date 7 September 1937 Location Mediterranean Sea, off Cherchell, Algeria Result Nationalist victory Republican convoy lost
Belligerents
Spanish Republic	Nationalist Spain
Commanders and leaders
Miguel Buiza Fernández-Palacios	Manuel Vierna Belando
Strength
2 light cruisers 7 destroyers	1 heavy cruiser
Casualties and losses
1 cargo ship grounded 1 cargo ship interned	1 heavy cruiser seriously damaged

The Battle of Cape Cherchell was a naval battle during the Spanish Civil War. It happened on September 7, 1937. This fight took place in the Mediterranean Sea, near the city of Cherchell in Algeria.

The battle was between a Nationalist warship, the heavy cruiser Baleares, and two Republican warships, the light cruisers Libertad and Méndez Núñez. The Baleares unexpectedly met a group of Republican ships. This group, called a convoy, included two merchant ships. These cargo ships were protected by Republican cruisers and destroyers.

What Happened at Cape Cherchell?

In the early morning, the Nationalist cruiser Baleares found the Republican convoy. The Baleares tried to stop the convoy. But the Republican ships fought back. The Baleares was damaged in this first fight.

Why Did the Destroyers Leave?

The Republican destroyers knew a big danger was coming. Nationalist planes could arrive if the Baleares sent out a radio message. These planes would attack the convoy from the air. So, the four destroyers quickly left the battle. They continued to protect the merchant ships. They wanted to get the cargo ships to safety.

Cruisers Fight Again

While the cargo ships and destroyers moved away, the Republican cruisers Libertad and Méndez Núñez kept fighting the Baleares. The Libertad fired a powerful shot. It hit the Baleares electronics. This made the Baleares main guns stop working for a short time.

But the Nationalist crew quickly fixed the damage. The Baleares then started chasing the Republican ships again.

Second Clash of Warships

The warships met for a second time later that afternoon. The Libertad hit the Baleares two more times. These hits were in important parts of the ship. The Baleares was badly damaged. It had to slow down and wait for its sister ship, the Canarias.

After this, Nationalist warplanes attacked the Republican ships. Most of these planes were Italian bombers. They were part of the Aviación Legionaria. This group of planes fought for Franco in Spain. However, their attack did not cause much damage.

What Happened to the Cargo Ships?

During the battle, the captains of the two merchant ships got scared. They changed their course. They tried to find safety in the waters near Algeria. One of the cargo ships ran aground, meaning it got stuck, near Cherchell. The other ship made it to Bona. French officials there kept the ship. This is called being interned.

After this battle, the Republican fleet commander, Miguel Buiza, was removed from his position.

See also

• Aviazione Legionaria
• Spanish Civil War Republican ship classes