The Republic Goes on the Offensive in the Basque Country

Sunday 15^th November 1936

The Spanish Republicans launched what was to be one of their few full-scale regular military offensives of the Civil War. General Llano de Encomienda, who had remained loyal to the Republic at his post in Barcelona at the outbreak of the uprising, was given command of the government armies of the North. Despite a complete lack of air support and desperate shortage of artillery, he launched an offensive into the Basque.

His troops fought bravely but against terrible odds. Even worse, perhaps, his command came solely from the Republics central government. It had not been notified too, still less approved, the semi autonomous government of the Basque country. The Basque “Army of Euzkadi” had no intention of serving under his orders. Once again regional rivalries weakened the Republican cause.