Battle of the Merida pocket facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Mérida pocket Cierre de la bolsa de Mérida
Part of the Spanish Civil War
Landscape of La Serena where many trenches and fortifications remain to this day.
Date July 1938 Location Don Benito, Castuera and Villanueva de la Serena, Extremadura Result Nationalist victory
Belligerents
Second Spanish Republic	Nationalist Spain
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Ricardo Burillo	General Andrés Saliquet General Queipo de Llano
Casualties and losses
numerous	negligible

The Battle of the Mérida pocket was an important event during the Spanish Civil War in July 1938. It happened in the La Serena area of Badajoz Province, Spain. This battle was a quick and strong operation planned by the Nationalist forces (supporters of General Franco). It resulted in a big defeat for the Republican troops (those loyal to the Spanish government).

Even though it was a major battle, its importance was often overshadowed. This was because the much larger Battle of the Ebro started around the same time. The Ebro battle took place on the other side of Spain.

Why the Battle Happened

The Mérida pocket was a part of Republican territory that stuck out into areas controlled by the Nationalists. It was like a wedge or a "pocket" of land. This area was in the western part of Spain in 1937. It was located between Nationalist-held zones to the northwest and southwest.

Nationalist leaders worried that Republican forces in this pocket could easily attack the important town of Mérida. They also feared it could cut their own territory in half. So, they saw it as an "open door" that needed to be "closed." After the Nationalist army reached the Mediterranean Sea in the east, they decided to focus on this area. Their goal was to capture this land in an operation called "closing of Mérida pocket."

The Battle Begins

The Nationalist plan for this attack had two main parts. First, from June 14 to 20, they strengthened their lines along the Zújar River. Second, the main attack would happen between July 20 and 24. They planned to surround and trap the Republican soldiers in the pocket. The Nationalist forces moved quickly from both sides of the pocket. This surprise attack caught the Republican troops off guard.

The battle started on July 20. Nationalist forces led by General Saliquet moved south from the north. For four days, they pushed hard against the enemy lines. On July 24, they met the armies of General Queipo de Llano at Campanario. General Queipo de Llano's forces had been advancing northwards.

This quick victory led to heavy losses for the Republican soldiers. These soldiers belonged to the Extremaduran Army. Colonel Ricardo Burillo was their commander. The Nationalist victory allowed their territory to expand further east. They reached the La Jara region in Toledo Province.

What Happened After

This Nationalist military operation caused one of the biggest losses of life for Republican soldiers in Extremadura. Some of the units that suffered greatly were the 91st Mixed Brigade and the 109th Mixed Brigade. Many soldiers were caught in the pocket and faced intense Nationalist attacks.

Republican soldiers who surrendered were sent to a concentration camp in Castuera. There, some of them faced very harsh treatment. Colonel Ricardo Burillo, who had led the Extremaduran Army, was removed from his position on July 31. Colonel Adolfo Prada took his place.

See also

• Group of Central Region Armies
• List of Spanish Nationalist military equipment of the Spanish Civil War
• List of Spanish Republican military equipment of the Spanish Civil War