The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-05-06
TO BACK
GREAT DRIVE
IN SPAIN
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and Foreign Minister Count
Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and
Foreign Minister Baron Con-
Stantin Won Neurath of Germany
at Rome, and the Immediately
preceding conference between
Mussolini and German Air Min
lister Hermann Wilhelm Goering.
To Revenge Italian Defeat
It doesn't mean they necessarily
will stick it out forever. 1t means
that at this moment Mussolini is
determined not to withdraw his
$4,000 troops from Spain until
the Italian defeat at Guadalajara
is revenged and Italian military
prestige reestablished, and he has
persuaded the Germans to keep
10000 specialized troops there at
least until Bilbao is taken and
another determined attempt is
made to cut off Madrid.
The full history Of the battle
Of Guadalaja which may yet
hold momentous consequences for
Europe, will not be available, per-
hapS, until long after the war.
But enough has been learned IN
Spain by questioning of witnesses
on both sides to establish fairly
clear picture.
This picture refutes the popular
idea that it was a second Capo-
retto or anything like such a rout
as would seriously diScredit 1tal'
ian arms. Dimensions of the de-
feat were greatly exaggerated in
the European press and we're
smaller than in many previous
engagements of the war.
Causes of Defeat
Causes of the defeat were in
relative degree of Importance;
first, bad Spanish staff work;
second, Spanish jealousy Of the
Italians; third, italian overcontl-
dence; fourth, unfaV able
weather, and fifth, superior red
aviation.
FRANCOIS object was to cut off
Madrid in a big circle after he had
failed either to take the city by
direct assault or cut it off in a
narrow circle.
After failing to cut the capitals
communication with Valencia by
attacking across the Jarama River
to the south, he intended to come
down from the north and capture
Guadalajara and Alcala de Hena-
res, pushing south to join the
Jarama River army and thus pull
q cord tight around Madrid's neck.
The Italians, who were so sue
cessful in taking Malaga, were
eager for a fresh victory and we're
assigned the main road leading
to Guadalajara, while Spanish
divisions were to accompany them
In right and left flankS.
Battle Lasted Two Weeks
The battle began March 7 and
ended two weeks later.
The Italians advanced % miles
IN five days to within six miles
of Guadalajara, but their Span
ish allies failed to advance at all
and left the Italian flankS I'm
protected.
The reds counter-attacked on
March IL, and in nine days drove
the Italians back II miles, leav-
ing them a net gain of six miles,
but with a loss Of 1900 dead, 1900
wounded and 400 prisoners, as
well as quantities Of trucks. guns
and war materials.
Red losses in men were possibly
half. The Italians started from
Algora, reached Torija and were
driven back to Almadrones. Their
commanding officer, General Man
Zini, was recalled to Rome. But
over him was Spanish General
Moscardo, who won generals rank
through his defense Of the Alca-
Ear, but proved at Guadalajara
that heroism and generalship are
two different qualities.
$4,000 Italians In Field
The Italians, numbering four di-
visions-about $4,000 men-were
predominantly black shirt militia
commanded partly by regular
army officers and some regular
non-commissioned officers, but
were by no means comparable
with MuSSolini's first-rate troops.
setback spread, many Spanish Of
ficerS of Francois took no pains to
conceal their pleasure, but pub
ncly celebrated.
The Italians chief fault was
Wnder-eStimation Of the enemy.