The army of shadows

Spies and republican guerrillas in Córdoba during the Civil War (1936 – 1939)

El "Shadow Army" It tells us a very little studied chapter of the Spanish Civil War; the actions of the republican guerrillas in Córdoba, a fascinating and exciting story that is reminiscent of what was experienced in the War of Independence.

In the Civil War the guerrilla phenomenon appeared with much greater intensity on the Republican side. One of the reasons that would justify this reality is that, in the academic mentality of the rebellious professional soldiers, basically formed on French military doctrine, the possibility of undertaking this type of fight was not considered.

The militiamen were prone to this type of combat in which they felt skilled because in the first months of the war they were grouped into various battalions or columns that, despite their vibrant names, did not constitute moderately organized, framed, commanded, instructed units. nor, of course, disciplined.

Militias who failed miserably in the attack, who half resisted on the defensive until they perceived the danger of being involved and fled in disarray, but who fought heroically to the death when there was no longer any place to retreat and surrender was not an option.

Examples of this abound, from the small group of militiamen who resisted at the Almendralejo tower to the defense of Madrid. "Not one step back" when there was no longer a back to go to. Now, those same militiamen had an advantage when they moved in small groups, through terrain well known to them and preferably at night. In those conditions they perceived that advantage and were inclined towards that type of combat.

The objective of this book is to make known the actions of guerrillas and republican spies in the province of Córdoba during the crucial years of the Civil War. A book that you can purchase by clicking on the following link or by clicking on the cover image.