Turn 4 (October, 1936) Nationalist Operational Movement Phase
The line in and around Jaca-Tudela is compacted, following last month’s loss of Zaragoza. The Asturias front is re-sealed, after the Carlist Columns were shifted from near Pamplona to Salamanca by train. From there they now head through the mountains Southwest of Madrid towards Toledo. The Army of Africa lines up to attack eastward, from Montanchez Southwards to Malaga. We are attempting to uncover Madrid to its South along three Operational Axes, generally along the lines of: Toledo, Ciudad Real and Malaga.
Requetés Carlistas forming up in Salamanca.
After Nationalist Operational Movement, the map looks like this:
Turn 3 (October, 1936) Combat Declarations:
The first week of October saw the Army of Africa launch 3 offensive lines of attack South and Southeast of Madrid in an attempt to take advantage of the Republic’s myopic obsession with offensive attacks near the Pyrenees. Franco and Yagüe designed these attacks to isolate Republican strong points, putting them out of supply, while maintaining supply lines Eastward, and North to the ammunition-starved Mola.-The Spanish Civil War: Columns and Divisions, Oliver Birdsong, Random House, 1984. This is not a real book, nor a real quote, nor a real “October Plan”.
Combat A - Battle of Montánchez- 7:1 net DRM +2 (+1 Concentric Attack, +1 Colonial, +1 OOS, -1 Town).
The Delgado Serrano Column, the Pujalte Column, and the Cáceres Garrison attack the Badajoz Militia. Their mission is to take the town and then drive east to link up with General Monastario’s Cavalry, having secured supply to the North,
The Regulares maneuver into position outside of Montánchez.
Combat B - Battle of Zorita- 7:1 net DRM +1 (+1 Colonial, +1 Concentric Attack, -1 Minor River).
The Castejón and Tella Columns attack the Mena Column.
Colonel Castejón has received orders from Yagüe not to underestimate the enemy or situation despite overwhelming strength and superior troop quality. Yagüe was overheard telling Castejón, "Hasta el rabo, todo es toro/Until the tail, it’s all bull."
Combat C - Battle of Logrosán- 5:1 net DRM +2 (+1 Colonial, +1 Concentric).
The Asensio Column and the General Monastario’s Cavalry Column are attacking the Uribarri column (a.k.a. “Phantom” column).
Colonel Carlos Asensio has been told by Yagüe to be South of Madrid by the time the leaves start to turn. His blood is up again.
Combat D - Battle of Moral de Calatrava- 5:1 net DRM +1 (+1 Colonial).
The Sáenz de Buruaga Column and the 2nd Tercio of La Legion are attacking the Temple y Rebeldía (“Spirit and Rebellion”) Anarchist Militia Column".
General Yagüe once again trusts the warhorse, Colonel Sáenz de Buruaga, with this attack.
Combat E - Battle of Málaga- 16:1 net DRM +2 (+1 Colonial, +1 Naval Support. Odds Shift 1L, City).
The Ceuta Regulares, the 3rd Tercio of La Legion, and…well more troops than I’d care to write about are attacking the Almería Anarchist Militia Column.
General Yagüe isn’t too worried about this one, He is there directing it personally, but only because the Breakthrough afterwards needs his personal touch.
We await Republican Air and Naval Commitments before Resolving our attacks.