José Miaja facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Miaja
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General Miaja in 1938
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| President of the National Defense Council | |
| In office 5 March 1939 – 28 March 1939 |
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| President of the Madrid Defense Council | |
| In office 6 November 1936 – 23 April 1937 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 April 1878 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
| Died | 14 January 1958 (aged 79) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Awards |  Order of Saint Hermenegild Laureate Plate of Madrid |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Spain (1898–1931) Spanish Republic (1931–1939) |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army Spanish Republican Army |
| Years of service | 1898–1939 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | Rif War Spanish Civil War |
José Miaja Menant (born April 20, 1878, died January 14, 1958) was an important Spanish general. He served during the time when Spain was a republic, before it became a monarchy again. He is best known for his role in defending Madrid during the Spanish Civil War.
Contents
Early Military Career
José Miaja began his military training in 1896 at the Infantry Academy in Toledo, Spain. His first job as a soldier was in Asturias. Later, he moved to Melilla, a Spanish city in North Africa.
He fought in a war in Morocco around 1900. During this time, he showed great skill and was promoted quickly. By 1911, he became a major, and by 1932, he reached the high rank of General.
In 1935, a government minister sent him to a less important military post far from the capital city. This showed that the government at the time did not fully trust him.
Role in the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War began in 1936. José Miaja was in Madrid when the fighting started. He decided to stay loyal to the elected government, which was called the Republican government. Because of his loyalty, he was made the Minister of War.
Defending Madrid
In November 1936, the government had to leave Madrid because enemy troops were getting very close. General Miaja was put in charge of the Junta de Defensa de Madrid, which was a special council created to defend the city.
Working with his chief-of-staff, Vicente Rojo Lluch, General Miaja successfully stopped the attacking forces. They managed to hold the line at the Manzanares River during the important Battle of Madrid. This was a major victory for the Republican side.
Leading Key Battles
As a commander in the Spanish Republican Army, General Miaja led his troops in several other major battles. These included the Battle of Jarama, the Battle of Guadalajara, and the Battle of Brunete. These battles were very intense and important moments in the war.
For his brave actions and leadership during the Siege of Madrid, he was given a special award called the Laureate Plate of Madrid.
Later Actions
Towards the end of the war, in March 1939, General Miaja supported a rebellion led by Segismundo Casado. This rebellion was against the prime minister, Juan Negrín. Miaja became the President of the National Defence Council during this time.
Life in Exile
After the Spanish Civil War ended, General Miaja had to leave Spain. He traveled to Gandia, where he took a plane to Oran. From there, he went into exile, first to French Algeria and France.
Eventually, he moved to Mexico, where he lived the rest of his life. José Miaja Menant passed away in Mexico City on January 14, 1958.
See also
In Spanish: José Miaja para niños
