The Spanish Maquis and exiled members of the Partido Comunista de Espana (PCE) started on 19 October 1944 the Invasion of Val d'Aran, known under the code name "Operation Reconquest of Spain" (). Between 4,000 and 7,000 guerrillas, well equipped and with heavy weapons, entered Spanish territory through Val d'Aran and other parts of the Pyrenees. The objective of the offensive was to retake the sector of Spanish territory comprising the land between the Cinca and Segre Rivers and the French border. The zone was later declared conquered by the Spanish Republican government in exile to provoke a general uprising against Franco throughout Spain. It was hoped that it would force the Allies to "liberate" Spain the same way it was "liberating" the rest of Europe and that it would make the Spaniards who were against the regime revolt to end General Franco's dictatorship.