The Spanish Civil War, that dark passage of history remains a period that the Spanish people still show great reluctance to talk about, as memories still cling in the minds of survivors who lost loved ones due to fascist atrocities.
Today on the 25th May 1938, Italian fascist bombers with the full blessing of Fascist General Franco of Spain, launched an attack on Alicante which is remembered as one of the deadliest aerial missions of the Spanish Civil War.
After the Aragon Offensve, Franco wanted to eliminate the Republican maritime commerce and destroy th Republican morale and he authorized the Italian Aviazone and the German Legion Condo to undertake indiscriminate bombings of the cities, Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante, Granollers , other Spanish towns and cities were also bombed.
25 May 1938, was a busy day in Alicante, one of the last cities still loyal to the Republican Government, the busy market bristling with activity and life, when more than 90 high explosive bombs were dropped from the sky on the central market at 11.am in the morning. It emerged as one of the first deliberate ,cowardly, unprovoked attack against civilians during the Spanish Civil War. Te anti-aircraft artillery in the city were obsolete and the air-larm system of the city did not work,
25 May 1938, was a busy day in Alicante, one of the last cities still loyal to the Republican Government, the busy market bristling with activity and life, when more than 90 high explosive bombs were dropped from the sky on the central market at 11.am in the morning. It emerged as one of the first deliberate ,cowardly, unprovoked attack against civilians during the Spanish Civil War. Te anti-aircraft artillery in the city were obsolete and the air-larm system of the city did not work,
In the aftermath of thee bombings there were between 275 and 393 civilian deaths, manly women and children, with a 1,000 left wounded. Which was as many as those killed in Geurnica. 6 days later the city of Granoller was bombed too , leading to a death toll estimated too betwee 100 and 224 as not all missing adfter the aaack were ever found. The bombings provoked protests in London.
For many millions of tourists who visit Spain every year, the war, and the injustices that sprung from it are still largely unknown. I for one will try to remember it's legacy and the evils of fascism.
For 75 years there was nothing to mark this terrible injustice, to remember what was done in the name of fascism .However in May 2013 anti-fascists were allowed to lay down a fitting tribute in the facade of the new market. This was subsequently vandalised, such is the extent that some still do not want the past to be remembered.
The message on the plaque reads " In homage to the citizens vilely murdered. For them , for the young people of yesterday, for those that did not make it, for the young people of today and tomorrow."
Aerial attack on Alicante
For 75 years there was nothing to mark this terrible injustice, to remember what was done in the name of fascism .However in May 2013 anti-fascists were allowed to lay down a fitting tribute in the facade of the new market. This was subsequently vandalised, such is the extent that some still do not want the past to be remembered.
The message on the plaque reads " In homage to the citizens vilely murdered. For them , for the young people of yesterday, for those that did not make it, for the young people of today and tomorrow."
Aerial attack on Alicante
