Fidel Dávila Arrondo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fidel Dávila Arrondo
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| President of the Technical State Junta | |
| In office 3 October 1936 – 3 June 1937 |
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| Preceded by | Miguel Cabanellas |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Gómez-Jordana |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Fidel Dávila Arrondo Gil y Arija
24 April 1878 Barcelona, Kingdom of Spain |
| Died | 22 March 1962 (aged 83) Madrid, Francoist Spain (now Spain) |
| Political party | Falange |
| Profession | Military |
Fidel Dávila Arrondo (born April 24, 1878 – died March 22, 1962) was an important Spanish Army officer. He played a big role during the Spanish Civil War.
He was born in Barcelona, a city in Spain.
Contents
Early Military Career
Fidel Dávila started his career as an infantry officer. He fought in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. For his bravery there, he received a special award called the Cruz del Mérito Militar.
After that, he joined the General Staff of the Army. This is a group of high-ranking officers who help plan military operations. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was then sent to Spanish Morocco, a territory Spain controlled in North Africa. In 1929, he became a brigadier general.
Role in the Spanish Civil War
When Prime Minister Manuel Azaña made changes to the military, Fidel Dávila chose to go into the reserves. This meant he was still an officer but not actively serving. He moved to Burgos, a city in northern Spain.
From Burgos, he became involved in a secret plan. This plan was to overthrow the Popular Front government. On the night of July 18-19, 1936, he took control of the civil government in Burgos. This was a key moment at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
He became a member of the Junta de Defensa Nacional. This was a group that led the Nationalist side in the war. He also became president of the Junta Técnica del Estado. This group was like the first government of the Nationalist side. He was also the chief of staff for their army.
Fidel Dávila took part in the War in the North. This was a series of battles where the Nationalist forces took control of areas like Biscay, Cantabria, and Asturias.
Later Years and Government Roles
In February 1938, Fidel Dávila was named Minister of National Defense. This was in the first government led by Francisco Franco. At the same time, he was promoted to lieutenant general.
He helped plan the Aragon Offensive. This was a military campaign to cut off Catalonia from the rest of Spain. He also took part in other important campaigns. These included the Maestrazgo campaign and the Battle of the Ebro. He also helped lead the Catalonia Offensive. This led to the Nationalist forces taking over Catalonia.
After the war, in August 1939, he became the captain-general of the Second Military District. He also became the head of the general staff. In July 1945, he was made Minister of the Army. In 1949, he was named head of the government.
In 1951, he joined the Council of the Kingdom. He also became president of the Geographic Superior Council. Fidel Dávila Arrondo passed away in Madrid in 1962.
Images for kids
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Fidel Dávila in 1939.
