ESPANIA Spanish Civil War Nationalist Faction 1936-1939 Unofficial Intelligence Briefing Flames of War Very Early Period John delljohnb Baugher delljohnb@hotmail.com 24 Nov 2004 v1.1
Intelligence Briefing on the Spanish Civil War Nationalist Faction Very Early Period (1936-1939) The Nationalist Faction often called the Fascists. Motivated by a firebrand by the name of Franco, and determined to eradicate the Marxist leanings of the Spanish government, this army began on a hope of quelling the flames of socialism, and rode the wave of opportunity to wrestle the reigns of power from a government that had all the auspices of fortune. The Nationalists appealed to the growing Fascist movement in Germany and Italy and found in them allies wanting to flex the muscles of growing militarism. Six years of struggle by the Nationalist Faction finally brought Franco into power and a government that would last until 1975. Nationalist Military Configuration The player must select one of three Nationalist Armies: Nationalist Army, Army of Morocco, or Italian Expeditionary Force. Each of these armies has certain configuration restrictions and morale ratings. Nationalist Army You can base your force on: Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Calvary Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police
Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade Army of Morocco You can base your force on: Infantry Company Calvary Company Mobile Company Italian Expeditionary Force You can base your force on: Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Your force may be supported by Condor Legion or Nationalist planes. Your force may not include foreign units, but may be supported by Condor Legion or Nationalist planes. Italian CTV Volunteers Your force may include Italian only mortars and support equipment. Only Condor Legion planes may be used for air support. Special Rules Avanti! The Italian Army learned during WWI and emphasized the French military theory of methodical destruction of enemy defenses followed by maneuver. While this proved to be a flawed theory, the Italian Army embraced this doctrine during the Spanish Civil War, and the Italian conflicts on Africa. Any Italian platoon with a command team may attempt an Avanti move in its Shooting step if it does not shoot. If a platoon attempts to make an Avanti move, it may not shoot even if it fails to make an Avanit move. Roll a skill test for each platoon. If the test is successful the platoon may move another 4 /10cm. If the test is unsuccessful, the platoon cannot move further this step. All of the normal rules apply for this movement. Platoons cannot make Avanti moves if they are Pinned Down; Bogged Down or Bailed Out vehicles cannot make Avanti moves. SCW Calvary Special Rules The following three cavalry rules are considered Spanish Civil War special rules that are to replace the generic cavalry rules in the FOB rulebook. These rules apply: Cavalry Squads, Cavalry Remount, and Cavalry Recce. These rules do NOT apply to all teams that are mounted as cavalry. They only apply if specifically noted in the platoon or company notes by the statement, The cavalry special rules apply. Otherwise, the standard cavalry rules from the FOW rulebook apply. Cavalry Squads Cavalry played an important part in the maneuver portion of military doctrine that was espoused by both Nationalist
and Republican forces. Cavalry troops are very vulnerable to small arms and artillery fire. This is a cavalry special rule. Cavalry stands count as soft transports while mounted, and save on a 5+. If destroyed, the horses must be set aside and cannot be used for remounts. When a mounted stand is destroyed, they save on a 5+. Cavalry Remount Spanish Civil War period doctrine is to maneuver mounted and then dismount and fight. Mounts are not generally removed from the battlefield area, but are instead kelp close for remounting and maneuvering. Even in static defense, the horses are kept handy for rapid withdrawal and maneuver. This is a cavalry special rule. When a cavalry platoon dismounts, place a Horse Holder team within command range. It is considered a soft vehicle for saves. If the Horse Holder is destroyed, it counts as a casualty for the platoon, but does not count for the base number of stands in the platoon and all the cavalry unit s remounts are destroyed. For a team to remount the Horse Holder and all remounting teams must be in command and there must be an available remounts. All teams in a platoon must have the same mounted/dismounted status at the same time. Cavalry Recce Since military doctrine calls for cavalry to fight battles of maneuver, all cavalry Rifle and Rifle/MG teams are considered Recce. This is a cavalry special rule. Use the Recce rules for Rifle and Rifle/MG teams. However, they are not subject to the Break Off rule in Old Ironsides. Dismounted units within the command range of the Horse Holders and in command range of the platoon commander may mount up and retreat at the cavalry movement rate. However, any teams that fail the disengagement roll remount where they are and receive the remainder of the enemy s shots as soft targets. Alternatively, they may retreat as dismounted stands. Signals Non-Italian units suffered from a lack of communication equipment. This necessitated the use of signal flags to direct artillery. Non-Italian artillery and mortar observers must have a line of sight to their own battery in order to call in fire. WWI Design Many of the tanks used in the Spanish Civil War were built during the First World War. They were of antiquated design and could only move at a walking pace. Tanks of WWI design only move 6 /15cm. Biplane Extensive use of WWI vintage planes during the SCW was commonplace. The introduction of high performance monoplanes spelled the end of the biplane. If a plane is designated a biplane, and it interacts (intercepts) with another biplane, then use the standard aircraft rules in the FOW rulebook. If the opposing plane is a monoplane, then the biplane is only 50% effective. Roll a die. On a 1-3 the biplane is considered outclassed and remove from play for this turn. It has no further effect on game play this round.
Militia Charge Filled with political fervor, but little else, militia units often used human wave tactics to fulfill their tactical objectives. Militia units automatically pass all morale/motivation tests related to assaulting. Militia units may not fall back. Fear not the Infidel The Army of Morocco was feared for its ruthless nature, and dedicated soldiers. Moroccan units were able to withstand losses yet maintain coherency that amazed their enemies. All pinned recovery checks are made with a +1 die modifier. Take no Prisoners! Tenacity and brutality were the norms on the battlefield during this derisive era. Re-roll all failed skill tests to kill on the FIRST turn of close combat. Officer Class Aristocracy Spanish officers saw the strict separation between the peasants and the aristocracy as an important part of Spanish culture. This perception of class distinction often manifested itself in the Nationalist officers not wanting to mix with the common soldier. Company Command Rifle teams may NOT send their Auto Medio to the rear unless SPECIFICALLY permitted/required by the scenario special rules. This special rule does NOT apply during tournaments. Air Support During the Spanish Civil War, the highly vaunted Condor Legion supplemented the Nationalist Air Force. Nationalist forces may call upon either of these two to supplement ground operations. Nationalist Air Support: You may request Sporadic air support at a cost of 25 points. Sporadic air support provides fighters on a roll of 6. You may request Limited air support for 75 points. Limited air support will provide fighter support on a roll of 5 but ground attack aircraft and fighter support on a roll of 6. Condor Legion: You may request Sporadic air support at a cost of 50 points. Sporadic air support will provide supporting ground attack aircraft and fighters on a roll of 6. You may request Limited air support for 100 points. Limited air support will provide ground attack aircraft and fighters on a roll of 5+.
Nationalist Army Nationalist Infantry Company The bulk of the Nationalist forces were traditional infantry companies. The reason that these formations were able to win the civil war was that they were well trained and highly motivated. In addition, they were able to call upon their allies for support. What is in a Nationalist Infantry Company? Confident Trained Core Platoons: Company HQ 2-4 Infantry Platoons Weapon Platoons: 0-1 HMG Platoon 0-1 Mortar Platoon 0-2 Assault Platoons Support Platoons: 0-1 Tank Platoon 0-2 Armored Car Platoons 0-1 Anti-tank Platoon 0-2 Artillery Platoon 0-1 Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon 0-1 Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon You may have up to one Support Platoon attached to your company for every Core or Weapon Platoon that you have. The number of Weapons Platoons must not exceed the number of Infantry Platoons. Mobile Infantry Company There is little difference between an Infantry Company and a Mobile Infantry Company. If you decide to select your force as a Mobile Infantry Company, then all of your platoons must conform to the Mobile Infantry Company restrictions that are noted in each platoon description. Mobile Infantry Companies may NOT use the cavalry options noted below. Cavalry Options Nationalist Infantry Headquarters Platoon Company Auto Medio Auto Medio Anti-Tank Rifle Team Wagon or Auto Leggero Light Mortar Team Wagon or Auto Leggero HMG team
Wagon or Auto Leggero Mobile Infantry Companies MUST take all available vehicle options. HMG team option is NOT available to Mobile Infantry Companies. The Officer Class Aristocracy special rule applies. Nationalist Infantry Infantry Platoon Auto Medio Light Mortar Team Light Mortar Team Ford or Chevrolet or Auto Leggero or Wagon 3 x Infantry Squad Rifle Team Rifle Team Rifle/MG Team 2xFord or 2xChevrolet or 3xWagon Infantry Squad Rifle Team Rifle Team Rifle/MG Team 2xFord or 2xChevrolet or 3xWagon Mobile Infantry Companies MUST take motorized vehicle options. None or all of the teams may be upgraded to cavalry at +5 pts per team. Nationalist Infantry HMG Platoon 2 x HMG Squad HMG Team HMG Team 2xFord or 2xChevrolet or 2xWagon The may be upgraded to a Command Rifle/MG Team for +5 points or a Command MG Team for +10 points. Nationalist Infantry Mortar Platoon Auto Medio or Wagon 3 x Mortar Section Observer Team Auto Medio or Wagon 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 2xFord or 2xChevrolet or 2xWagon Nationalist Infantry Assault Platoon Command Rifle/MG Team Auto Medio 3 x Assault Squad Rifle/MG Team Rifle/MG Team Any or all teams may be upgraded to SMG teams at no cost. Auto Medio or Wagon Light Mortar Team Auto Medio or Wagon Nationalist Calvary Company The Nationalist command recognized the need for mobility. This statement is important because although the leading tacticians of the day still espoused
defense in depth, the inclusion of German nationals into the officer cadre provided the Nationalist Army with a unique and progressive outlook on the prosecution of armed conflict. Consequently, the Calvary Company (in addition to the Mobile Infantry Company) was seen as a way to quickly and inexpensively provide the Nationalist Army with the tools necessary to prosecute a modern war. What is in a Nationalist Calvary Company? Confident Trained Core Platoons: HQ Platoon 2-4 Calvary Platoons Weapon Platoons: 0-1 HMG Platoon 0-1 Assault Platoon Support Platoons: 0-2 Tank Platoons 0-2 Armored Car Platoons 0-1 Artillery Platoon 0-1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon 0-1 Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon. Nationalist Cavalry Headquarters Platoon 2inC Anti-tank Rifle Team Light Mortar Team All teams are mounted on horses as cavalry. The cavalry special rules apply. Nationalist Calvary Calvary Platoon Anti-tank Rifle Team Light Mortar 3 x Troop Rifle Team Rifle Team Rifle/MG Team All teams are mounted on horses as cavalry. The cavalry special rules apply. Nationalist Calvary HMG Platoon 2 x HMG Squad HMG Team HMG Team All teams are mounted on horses as cavalry. The Cavalry special rules do NOT apply to this platoon. Nationalist Calvary Assault Platoon Command Rifle/MG Team 3 x Assault Squads Rifle/MG Team Rifle/MG Team All teams are mounted on horses as cavalry. The Cavalry special rules do NOT apply to this platoon. All teams have Pioneer ability. Any team may be upgraded to SMG team at no cost. Militia Company
Local militias were used extensively during the Spanish Civil War. The Nationalists used these as an organized means of controlling captured areas and instituting Nationalist political influence. Militias, while poorly armed, were quite effective in controlling vast swaths of the countryside and proved pivotal in the eventual return of Franco to Madrid. What is a Militia Company? Confident Recruit Core Platoons: HQ Platoon 2-4 Militia Platoons Weapon Platoons: 0-1 HMG Platoon 0-1 Light Mortar Platoon 0-1 Mortar Platoon Support Platoons: 0-1 Tank Platoon 0-1 Armored Car Platoon 0-1 Artillery Platoon 0-1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Militia HQ Platoon 2inC Light Mortar Team ATR Team Militia Militia Platoon 3 x Rifle Squad Rifle Team Rifle Team Rifle Team Rifle Team Up to one team per squad may be upgraded to Rifle/MG team at +5 points per team. Militia HMG Platoon
2 x HMG Squad HMG Team HMG Team Militia Light Mortar Platoon 2 x Light Mortar Squad Light Mortar Team Light Mortar Team Light Mortar Team Up to one additional Light Mortar Team may be added to any Light Mortar Squad. Militia Mortar Platoon 2 x Mortar Section Observer Team 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 An additional Mortar Team may be purchased. Mortar Section Observer Team 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 81mm Mortar mle 81/14 Falangist Bandera Falangist Banderas were What is a Falangist Bandera? Fearless Recruit Core Platoons HQ Platoon
2-4 Infantry Platoon Weapon Platoons 0-1 HMG Platoon 0-1 Light Mortar Platoon 0-1 Mortar Platoon Support Platoons 0-2 Armored Car Platoon 0-1 Artillery Platoon 0-1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Falangist HQ Platoon Falangist Infantry Platoon Falangist HMG Platoon Falangist Light Mortar Platoon Falangist Mortar Platoon Civil Guard Company The Nationalist movement. What is a Civil Guard Company? Confident Trained
Civil Guard Domestic Police The local police forces in a particular area proved to be a potential source of organized stability that the Nationalist movement increasingly utilized as the war progressed. What is a Civil Guard Domestic Police Company? Reluctant Trained Core Platoons HQ Platoon 2-4 Officer Platoons Weapon Platoons 0-1 HMG Platoon 0-1 Mortar Platoon Support Platoons 0-2 Armored Car Platoon 0-1 Artillery Platoon 0-1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade
During any civil war, paramilitary bands (sometimes called partisans) spring up to defend the motherland on an ad-hoc basis. Continuously forming, melting into the local population, and re-forming, these loose knit bands of irregular forces quite often can control vast areas. The Spanish Civil War is no exception. Nationalist paramilitary bands roved the country side extolling the virtues of Fascism and harassing organized Republican formations. What is a Paramilitary Brigade? Confident Recruit Army of Morocco AoM Infantry Company The Army of Morocco was the standard barer of the Nationalist movement. This was the Army which Franco intended to use to wrestle the reigns of power for the Communists. After an arduous journey from North Africa, the Army of Morocco gave the Fascist movement a foothold on the Iberian peninsula which would eventually lead Franco to hold dictatorial power until 1975. What is an AoM Infantry Company?
AoM Calvary Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Expeditionary Force Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort
Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers Divisional Support Platoons Tank Platoon Command Tank Tank Tank
COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS Armored Car Platoon Armored Cars (both improvised and purpose built) became more and more relied upon to provide armored support during the civil war. Inexpensive and easy to maintain, these quickly became a common sight on the battlefield. Command A/C A/C A/C COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS
Anti-tank Platoon COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS Artillery Platoon COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon
COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon COMPANY Nationalist Infantry Company Nationalist Cavalry Company Militia Company Falangist Bandera Civil Guard Company Civil Guard Domestic Police Civil Guard Asaltos Company Paramilitary Brigade AoM Infantry Company AoM Cavalry Company AoM Mobile Company Italian Infantry Cohort Italian Litorio Cohort Italian Bersaglieri Cohort Italian Black Shirt Cohort Italian CTV Volunteers OPTIONS
Data Section Tank Name Points Mobility F S T Equipment and Notes FT-17C 30 Fully-tracked 1 0 1 Short 37mm tank gun, One-man turret, WWI tank FT-17M 30 Fully-tracked 1 0 1 MG, One-man turret, WWI tank Trubia 1936 25 Half-tracked 1 0 1 MG, turret-rear MG, WWI tank, Unreliable
L3/33 25 Half-tracked 1 0 1 hull MG L3/35 30 Half-tracked 1 0 1 Twin hull MG L3/35 with AT 30 Half-tracked 1 0 1 20mm tank gun (hull) L3/35 Lanciaflamme 55 Half-tracked 1 0 1 Flame-thrower, Fuel tanks Panzer IA 45 Half-tracked 1 0 1 Twin MG Panzer IB 45 Half-tracked 1 0 1 Twin MG Panzer IATR 50 Half-tracked 1 0 1 20mm tank gun T-26B 50 Fully-tracked 1 1 1 45mm tank gun, co-ax MG, Slow tank, Unreliable BT-5 50 Fully-tracked 0 0 1 45mm tank gun, co-ax MG, Light tank, Unreliable Armored Tractor A 20 Half-tracked 0 0 0 MG, WWI tank, 1 passenger Armored Tractor B 20 Half-tracked 0 0 0 Hull MG, WWI tank, 2 passengers Armored Car Name Points Mobility F S T Equipment and Notes Lancia LZ11 35 Wheeled 0 0 1 Twin MG Bilbao 32 30 Wheeled 0 0 1 MG BA-6 50 Wheeled 0 0 1 45mm tank gun, co-ax MG, hull MG UNL-35 30 Wheeled 0 0 1 MG Armored Truck A 20 Wheeled 0 0 0 MG, 1 passenger Armored Truck B 20 Wheeled 0 0 0 Hull MG, 2 passengers
Design Notes This Intel Briefing attempts to provide Flames of War players with an army list to represent the Fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War. Both the Fascist and Communist forces had units that changed in composition as the war progressed. Due to this, I have had to assign generic values and unit composition to represent the overall feel for every unit type. Painting Guide These are intended as merely a guide/starting point for gamers. Regulars Base: black spray Uniform: heavy drybrush MM Panzer Dunkel Gelb (2095) Uniform highlight: light drybrush GW Kommando Khaki (61-82) Web gear: MM Military Brown FS 30117 (1701) Ammunition pouches: MM Military Brown FS 30117 (1701) Boots: Base: black spray Foreign Legion
Uniform: drybrush MM Faded Olive Drab (2051) Uniform highlight: light drybrush GW Kommando Khaki (61-82) Web gear: MM Military Brown FS 30117 (1701) Ammunition pouches: MM Military Brown FS 30117 (1701) Boots: MM Military Brown FS 30117 (1701) Base: black spray Italian Black Shirts Army of Morocco Base: black spray Uniform: heavy drybrush GW Kommando Khaki (61-82) Uniform highlight: drybrush GW Bleached Bone (61-??) Web gear: Boots: Base: black spray Uniform: mixed Militia