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Monday, 15 May 2017

Spanish Civil War: Day-by-Day: 15th May 1937

Largo Caballero resigned as Prime Minister of the Republic.

Largo Caballero.
Posted by Robert (Bob) Cordery at 5/15/2017 08:42:00 am
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4 comments:

  1. Mark, Man of TINTuesday, May 16, 2017 7:37:00 am

    Bob
    On BBC Radio 4 Extra (DAB digital radio channel) throughout this week they have several repeat old documentaries about Laurie Lee and his travels in Spain before and during the Civil War with the International Brigades, to mark the anniversary of his death back in the 90s.
    The Spanish Civil War was a brutal, disillusionining and fascinating period of history - I also read the Hugh Thomas book, read articles in Mil Mod and Mintaure Wargames on this (were these yours?) , read Lorca and Orwell, the Thirties Poets. Most recently I read a book by Giles Tremlett the BBC foreign Correspondent in Spain Ghosts of Spain on how modern Spain forgets and remembers this period awkwardly. I don't think I could ever game this period, except in Imagi-Nation mode.
    Thanks for your coverage.
    Mark, Man of TIN

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    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyTuesday, May 16, 2017 8:43:00 am

      MIN ManofTin (Mark),

      Even after all these years, the events of the Spanish Civil War still the power to affect us. I recently watched a TV series that featured Alex Polizzi travelling around Spain ... and the last programme saw her visiting a mass grave of executed Republican prisoners that was being excavated by a dedicated team of archaeologists. They saw it as their duty to restore the remains to the families of the dead as part of the gradual process of post-Civil War reconciliation.

      What was interesting was the fact that the programme only mentioned the mass executions carried out by one side. This may well be due to the fact that bodies of executed Nationalist were recovered and re-buried during Franco's time, but even now it seemed to me that a conscious decision had been made not to mention the fact that both sides conducted what is now pessimistically called 'cleansing' during the conflict.

      It is a very interesting period of history, and one that until recently still had the power to influence British politics. I can certainly remember a time when serving in the International Brigades or supporting the Republicans in whatever way was possible was almost a requirement for leading Socialist politicians in the UK. That generation is now gone ... and with it is gone that unifying event in one area of UK politics.

      I think that re-fighting the Spanish Civil War as an imagi-nation campaign makes great sense, and can allow you to avoid some of the less than pleasant aspects of the war.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Fitz-BadgerWednesday, May 17, 2017 2:12:00 am

    Largo Caballero is a great name! I think it would translate to "slow cowboy"...

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    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, May 17, 2017 7:44:00 am

      Fitz-Badger,

      It is interesting how many foreign surnames that sound quite different - even possibly exotic - to the English-language 'ear' are actually quite mundane or even odd when translated into English. For example, the former German Chancellor - Helmut Kohl - sounds as if he has quite a forceful name ... until you realise that translated into English his name is Helmut Cabbage! (In Southern Germany the use of kohl (AKA cabbage) is often replaced by kraut!) Other examples of Germanic surnames that have a meaning most people are unaware of are Beethoven (= beet garden) and Rothschild (= red sign or red shield).

      All the best,

      Bob

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