War in Spain 1936-39 : Dev Diary #1

[sofia12]

The first dev diary for War in Spain 1936–1939 is here: discover how the project was born and the challenge of recreating the Spanish Civil War with realism and historical respect: https://www.matrixgames.com/news/war-in ... ev-diary-1

[btd64]

Reads very well. Some of it looks familiar ....GP

[Tom_]

Really enjoyed this Dev Diary.
I know very little about the Spanish Civil War so getting a small introduction was great.

Excuse my lack of knowledge but was the war evenly balanced? -Or was one side always most likely to win?

[Nikel]

Really enjoyed this Dev Diary.
I know very little about the Spanish Civil War so getting a small introduction was great.

Excuse my lack of knowledge but was the war evenly balanced? -Or was one side always most likely to win?

There is a tendency to think that the Nationalist side was a just military coup, IMHO it is wrong, and would have not succeded without the support of half the Spanish population that joined the coup.

There is a lot of controversy even today on this conflict and in Spain is heavily politicized. I read that this is a wargame and this aspect is not present?

If you want to read more about it, there are 3 Hispanists expert on the matter, depending on how you view it you may choose:

Hugh Thomas, his classic book is probably still the best and more balanced.

Paul Preston, on the left.

Stanley Payne, on the right.

[Tom_]

Hi,

Thanks for the book suggestions! - Hugh Thomas "The Spanish Civil War" is in my 'basket'.

I suppose my next question would be - militarily, or at least for players of either side of this game, is the SCW an even contest?

I'm thinking of WITPAE or GGWE2 where the results are almost forgone. i.e. US and Rus victory respectively.

(again, excuse my lack of knowledge on this war)

[Piteas]

It was never an even contest, but the disparity changed a lot.
In the beginning, The Republicans had more navy, air forces, resources and more manpower, but only militias. The Nationalists had the army and elite units, but few resources. However, germans and italians helped the nationalists with weapons and troops, which were well used the first year, although the germans always complained about Franco's "slowness".
The Republicans received help from the USSR, but less and always threatened by the Italian-German blockade.

After the fall of the republican North in October 1937, the Nationalists gained the upper hand and all republican efforts to reconquer territory failed in costly offensives (Zaragoza, Teruel, Ebro). Perhaps if the Republicans had adopted a more defensive strategy, the war would have lasted much longer and would have linked up with WWII.
But the Republicans always sought a "great victory" that would show the world their strength and ability to resist "the global fascism."

Will you be a fighter republican or a more prudent one?

Will you be a prudent nationalist or a more daring one?

You choose.

[Tom_]

This sounds excellent !

[btd64]

This sounds excellent !

It is....GP