Battle of Guadalajara

8-18 March, 1937

IThe Battle of Guadalahara: March 8-18, 1937. Italian offensive designed to cut off Madrid from the Northeast by capturing the provincial capital of Guadalahara. Supported by one Spanish Infantry Division, Italian units launched a moterized offensive that smashed Republican lines. Failure to aggressively exploit the breakthrough and bad weather, which confined attacking force to roads, allowed Republicans to build up and stop the drive. Republican counterattack recaptured some territory and routed the bulk of the Italian forces while Republican aircraft, flying from fields unhampered by bad weather, hammered the fleeing Italians from the air. Republican losses were about 2000 killed, and 4000 wounded. Italians lost 2000 killed, 4000 wounded and 400 captured. They also lost large amounts of equipment, trucks, artillery and tanks, some of which was captured by the Republic. Though technically a draw, based on the poor performance of the Italians and the sucessful Republican counterattack, Guadalahara was seen as a clear Republican victory [Santa Cruz].

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