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again" Needle to y, Hitler didn't get Gibraltar. But Franco needed to get arms and wea ns from mewhere and the Germa and Italians were the only on who would aid him
The Republicans received arm technician t iners and officers from Communist Ru ia, in return for tw thirds of the entire gold re rve of Spain (a ut million} There were al the Communist Inte a­ tional Brigad volunteers under Communist leadership from various other countries, such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade from the U.S. There were 20, tr ps in the Brigades in Spa in 19 alone. The Commu­ nist involvement was made m t obvious in the treatment of nuns, priests and brothers in areas held by the Republicans d in the acts of crilege against Catholic churche
The war lasted for alm t three years, but the battle which st sym­ lizes the i ues of the war and how they were re lved was fought in the first three month the Siege of t cazar in Toledo.
Toledo is an ancient city a ut 40 mil from Madrid Ferdinand and I l had once made it their capital, and had built a great church there. The M lems had built a rt on one of Toledo's hill and Charles V later made the fort into a royal palace. The fort was known as the Alca r.
When Franco i ued his pr lamation, the military n in Toledo was commanded by Colonel J M ardo, a strong traditionalist When he received a government order to nd the ammunition from Toledo's munitions factory to Madrid, he delayed as long as he could, then on July 21 i ued a declaration of war. The Republican tr ps invaded the town. M ardo, his tr ps and me civilians retreated into the Alca r where they pre red to withstand the enemy. Altogether, 17 people were in the fort, including 211 children
The Communists thought they could rce M ardo to surrender. On July Communist leader Ca llo telephoned M ardo, yin "I give you ten minutes to surrender the Alca r. If you don't, I'll sh t your n Luis who is standing here side me." M ardo's face did not tray his feelin "I lieve you," he id
Ca llo id: "And that you can e it's true, he will s ak to you" Luis was given the phone. M ardo id: "What is happening, my
y "Nothing," Luis answer "They y they are going to sh t me if the Al r d s not surrender. But don't worry a ut me."
"If it is· true," replied M ardo, "commend your ul to G , shout 'Viva Espana' and die like a hero. G -bye, my n, a ki "