Armas para España

by Gerald Howson

It is a commonplace in standard histories of the Spanish Civil War that the Republican forces--a grab-bag of Communist, Socialist, anarchist, and democratic militias--were as well equipped in battle as their Nationalist opponents. Francisco Franco's fascist revolt, those histories go on to say, was successful only because of political infighting and intrigues on the part of the opposition.

Not so, writes English journalist Gerald Howson. Although the struggle for supremacy among Stalinists and other leftists certainly put the Republicans in jeopardy, the fact is that the Fascists enjoyed a great tactical advantage in both the number and quality of weapons at their disposal. Armed by capitalists of many nations, and backed by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, Franco's troops were rarely outgunned. Conversely, much of the Republicans' arsenal was made up of old weapons that were incompatible with modern firearms. Drawing on Soviet archives, Howson shows that many of these antiques came from the U.S.S.R., long portrayed as a champion of Spanish freedom; more modern weapons came at an exorbitant price from a small army of shady arms dealers--some of them firms that remain in the business of dealing death today.

Howson's well-researched book will excite controversy. And, if he is correct, it will force a re-evaluation of an entire branch of historical literature--which in itself is no small accomplishment. --Gregory McNamee

Genres: History, Spanish Civil War, Spanish History, Spain

450 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed reviewing you this book when I read it - which is a pity because it is brilliant but most importantly a must read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War. I can't find any reviews not behind paywalls to refer yo to so all I can do is insist it is essential and fascinating reading.

[Bill V · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to read this book, I thought it was a general history of the Spanish Civil War. It actually is a description of how both governments, but primarily the Republican, went about procuring arms for their sides. Breaking it down further, the emphasis is on aircraft and the difficulties the government went through in obtaining them. The government went through several suppliers, buyers and nations and assembled a motley collection of weapons of various calibers and states of repair. Many of the weapons were already obsolete. The book details how the Spanish Republicans were swindled and cheated out of vast about of money, sometimes for weapons that were never delivered. The book is a specific outline of the weapons, delivery dates prices paid and stories related to them.

[Juan Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've discovered a lot about SCW

[Emmanuel Gustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One man's death is another man's business opportunity... Arms for Spain is the enormously entertaining, but often also infuriating, story of the men who supplied the warring factions in the Spanish civil war with arms, and often extracted enormous profits while doing it. Especially the Republicans, who did not have access to the stores of the Spanish armies, found themselves forced to deal with a collection of unloveable rogues.

Nor do Europe's statesmen emerge from this story with much credit. The attitude of British policians to the conflict in Spain was one of breathtaking hypocrisy, but at least they did not regard it as an opportunity for quick profit. Not all governments showed such restraint. Perhaps the French 'Popular Front' government can be praised for its good intentions, but these were not translated into useful action. The most controversial part of the book may be Howson's account of the Soviet support for the Republicans. Howson convincingly argues that this was much more limited than is often thought, and given with greater reluctance and at a more profitable price than is often assumed.

This may be distant history for most readers, but Howson's engaging account induces the reader to care about what happened. It seems to have been the sorry fate of Spain to be regarded as a useful testing ground for new weapons and a profitable market for old ones. One can only feel for the Spanish, because nobody seemed to care about their fate. Modern wars certainly are not different. This is a good read, and a grim lesson.

[Chris Bartholomew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book simplified for me who was who in Spain at a time when varies parties made acronyms a dime a dozen. Unfortunately it is weighted down with numbers of aircraft, pounds of munitions and lists of dollars and pesos spent, borrowed and stolen.