Introduction

July, 1936, Spain:  A group of generals attempt a military coup against the government of the Second Republic.  The country is split.  The Nationalist forces, supported by wealthy landowners and the Church, are opposed by a Republican force of trade unionists, socialists, anarchists and communists.  Both sides seek assistance from the international community.  Hitler and Mussolini lend their support to the Nationalists while the Soviet Union seeks to bolster the Republicans.   Thus the stage was set for civil war.

Ever since reading "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell as a child I have held a deep interest in the Spanish Civil War.  The title of this blog is from a Orwell poem about the war.  I have long sought to incorporate this interest into my hobby of wargaming.  Over the year I have accumulated a mass of Spanish Civil War figures but never got round to organizing these into an actual game.

After much mockery and badgering from my other wargaming friends I have decided to set myself a deadline to get this project off the ground.  I'm seeking to get all my figures painted, based and varnished, scenery constructed and rules tooled up to have full on Spanish Civil War game by this Easter (April Fool's Day...an ominous sign!!!).  All this while working full time and renovating a house.

The rule set I have chosen is "A World Aflame: Interwar War Rules 1918-1939" by Paul Eaglestone published by Osprey under their wargame title.  I understand that these rules are not to everyone's liking, however, I enjoy the old school, Donald Featherstone type feel to them.  There are a few omissions from these rules but that's the joy of home brew rules.

My figure set is going to be almost exclusively Peter Pig.  They are inexpensive, good looking and offer an impressive range of figures.

Vehicles will be mostly Minairons and Zvezda.  I already own and have painted a Minairons Fiat CR.32 Chirri model.  I just can't find it at the moment as I placed it somewhere safe.

My reading list for this project is:
"Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell (obviously)
"Essential Histories: The Spanish Civil War" by Frances Lannon
"The Battle for Spain' by Anthony Beevor (The most readable of the texts.  Just wish I hadn't left it in Wales)
"The Spanish Civil War 1936-39" by Paul Preston
"The Spanish Civil War" by Hugh Thomas (Bizarrely, mine is signed "For Margaret Thatcher, With best wishes for Christmas, 1977, & a most successful New Year 1978.  Hugh Thomas December 1977" )  Which makes me wonder if its genuine?  1) Why would, the considerably rich,  Hugh Thomas give Thatcher a paperback copy of his own book? 2) Why would this appear in a second hand book shop in South Yorkshire? (Not a place Thatcher was especially popular!!)  If anyone can answer this and give me a life changing price to sell it, I'm all ears!

¡No pasarán!