The Battle for La Coruña Road

December 14, 1936 - January 15, 1937

Frustrated in their attempt to directly take Madrid, the Nationalists launched the first of their major flanking offensives that would culminate in the Battle of Guadalahara. The Nationalist attack, designed to cut Madrid off from the Sierra Guadarrama and surround it from the north began with heavy bombardments and fierce infantry advances backed by light tanks. The Nationalist managed to sieze about ten miles of highway, and the towns of Villanueva de la Cañada, Boadilla, Majadahonda, and Pozuelo. International Brigades were rushed to the front as shock troops and helped stem the advance until Spanish units could also be brought up. Republican counterattack was confused and though causing great casualties had no effect. Republicans lost about 15,000 men. Nationalist lost about the same and gained a small amount of territory. This battle was another frustrating stalemate for the Nationalists [Santa Cruz].