Luis González de Ubieta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luis González de Ubieta
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| Birth name | Luis González de Ubieta y González del Campillo |
| Born | 1899 Spain |
| Died | 30 December 1950 (aged 50–51) At sea near Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Republic |
| Service/ |
Spanish Republican Navy |
| Rank |  Admiral of the Fleet |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War |
| Awards |  Laureate Plate of Madrid |
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Luis González de Ubieta y González del Campillo (1899 – 1950) was an important admiral in the Spanish Republican Navy. He served during the Spanish Civil War. Later, he lived in exile. He was the captain of a merchant ship called Chiriqui. When his ship sank, he chose to stay with it. This happened in the Caribbean Sea near Barranquilla, Colombia.
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Not much is known about Luis González de Ubieta's early life. His father was a forestry engineer. He passed away in 1925, leaving behind his wife and eight children.
In 1936, a military uprising began in Spain. This event started the Spanish Civil War. At that time, Luis González de Ubieta was a lieutenant commander in the Spanish Republican Navy. He was in charge of the research ship Ártabro, based in Cartagena. He decided to stay loyal to the Spanish Republic and did not join the rebels.
Many high-ranking officers in the Spanish Republican Navy joined the rebellion. Because of this, Luis González de Ubieta quickly rose in rank. He became the commander of the destroyer José Luis Díez. He helped stop a small conflict in Alicante. Later, he commanded the cruiser Miguel de Cervantes. He took part in a naval operation in the Bay of Biscay in late 1936.
Leading the Republican Fleet
In September 1938, the Republican fleet suffered a defeat. This was at the Battle of Cape Cherchell. Due to mistakes by the Republican commanders, two cargo ships were lost. After this, Luis González de Ubieta became the leader of the fleet. He was promoted to admiral. The previous commander, Miguel Buiza, was removed from his position.
Under Admiral González de Ubieta's command, the Republican Navy focused on protecting ships. These ships brought supplies to the Spanish Republic. He also worked on training naval officers and their crews.
Battle of Cape Palos
In March 1938, a major naval battle took place. It was called the Battle of Cape Palos. Republican cruisers and destroyers met rebel cruisers off Cartagena. During the battle, Republican destroyers fired their torpedoes. Two or three torpedoes hit the rebel cruiser Baleares. This caused a large explosion and sank the ship.
The sinking of the Baleares was a big victory for the Republican government. Luis González de Ubieta received the Laureate Plate of Madrid. This was the highest military award for bravery in the Second Spanish Republic. The ships that fought in the battle also received a special award. However, this victory did not change the overall course of the war. The Spanish Civil War was already turning against the Republic.
End of the War and Exile
In January 1939, Luis González de Ubieta was sent to Minorca. He took command of the naval base there. He also led all Republican military forces on the island. A month later, on February 8, Minorca was facing defeat. To avoid more fighting, González de Ubieta surrendered the island to the rebels.
After the fall of Minorca, Luis González de Ubieta left for France. He traveled on a British Royal Navy cruiser, the HMS Devonshire, along with 452 other Republican refugees. From Marseille, he managed to reach Paris with his wife. Other Spanish refugees were sent to camps by the French authorities.
Luis González de Ubieta lived in France until 1940. When Nazi Germany invaded France, he moved to Mexico. Later, he settled in Venezuela. In the early 1950s, he was the captain of a merchant ship called Chiriqui. This ship transported cattle and sailed under the Panamanian flag. On December 30, 1950, his ship sank off the coast of Colombia. Luis González de Ubieta refused to be rescued and went down with his ship.
See also
In Spanish: Luis González de Ubieta para niños
- Battle of Minorca (1939)
- Spanish Republican Navy
- The captain goes down with the ship
