Why did Franco pick Guernica, out of all the Basque cities, to bomb?
1 Answer
Jan 15, 2016
Mainly, three reasons.
Explanation:
There were three main reasons for the attack on Guernica:
- First of all, bombarding Guernica would bring death to many Republican soldiers preparing to fight in Bilbao against Franco and the nationalists. Guernica was a rather important town during the "Campaña de Vizcaya" (literally "Vizcaya's Campaign" - Vizcaya is a basque city). There, republicans had three weapon factories and many soldiers prepared to fight. Plus, it was used as a Republican HQ and was of relative important for communication between Basque Country and the rest of Democratic Spain.
- In second place, bombarding towns would prove to Hitler the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe - air strikes during the Spanish Civil War were mostly carried out by the 'Condor' Legion, part of the Luftwaffe sent to fight in Spain.
- Thirdly, and lastly, either taking or destroying Guernica would be a gigantic step towards taking Bilbao. Even though Franco did try to take Guernica, he eventually gave in and let the Germans - and Italians - do the work.
Hope it Helps! :D .