by Leonard R. Heinz.
Hardback (6.5×9.5 inches). 350 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: The Spanish Navy and the Civil War 1936-39
The Spanish Civil War (SCW) saw the Navy divide: crew mostly backed the Republicans and officers generally backed the Nationalists. With the split and the various mutinies, the fleet divided. The Republicans had the advantage, although lacking in command. The Nationalists succeeded in grabbing important naval bases with drydock facilities — indeed, even completing warships as the civil war went on.
Each side mostly stuck to trade protection and interdiction, but every so often, sea battles, including convoy interceptions, occurred that would make for good tabletop scenarios. In general, the Republicans were stronger in the Mediterranean Sea and the Nationalists in the Atlantic Ocean, but as the British were neutral, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar was often accomplished by both sides.
Republican ships often opted for night mission and the Nationalists day missions, in part due to growing air strength. Intelligence was so-so for both sides and air recon was often ineffective. Even when spies told of cargo ships leaving Italy or the Black Sea, interception proved difficult without radar — especially at night.
The examination of naval policy, strategy, and operations offers considerable details about how each side functioned and the impact of foreign escorts and interventions. The Appendix provides specifications on the ships named in the text.
The book contains 27 black and white photos, three black and white illustrations, and six black and white maps.
While not the most scintillating prose, the coverage of all things SCW is impressive and fills in the naval details often lacking in books about the SCW.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
