20 Feb 1936 - Madrid

[Diarist]

General Rodriguez decided to fly with us to Madrid and after a short flight we were met at the airport by COL Rosa. Since we would be staying in Madrid for at least a few days and the air crew want to overhaul the aircraft's engines so they were introduced to the local maintenance squadron and promised assistance. Alfonso, Wilhelm and I were driven to a government residence for guests then Alfonso and I were brought to the Defence Ministry while Wilhelm went to the German embassy. At the Ministry Alfonso went to visit a few former colleagues, I believe he is hoping to be reinstated, while COL Rosa showed me to General Franco's office. After 10 minutes he welcomed me in and offered me coffee.
"I'm not really too surprised to see you here, Sir Robert. My colleagues in England have reported that Secretary Churchill as been making a lot of enquiries. Alfonso has already informed me why you are here so let me answer your main question. The election was not fraudulent. The independent Election Committee has already stated that. The popular vote was close but the election system gives a different picture when translated into seats in parliament."
"It's similar in England. A swing of 1 or 2 percent can change up to a hundred seats in the House of Commons but that's just the 'official' reason for being here. Winston ordered me here to find out what's going on, i.e. to assess the situation. How bad is it? The demonstrations, etc."
"In areas where the Popular Front won comfortably there is almost anarchy."
"Anarchy is a strong word. Could we say unrest instead?" I asked.
"It is more than unrest when some of the police join the protests."
"A minority or most of them?"
"A minority."
"Are members of the armed forces joining them, General?"
"No, but if it develops into a civil war there could be deserters."
"Then the prime goal must be to avoid a civil war. What concessions are you willing to make in order to defuse the situation."
"None, Sir Robert."
"What are they demanding? There must be something you can offer without showing weakness."
"I appreciate your concern but it isn't your problem."
"It is if you wish British support. In France there are millions of communists who would love to support your communists if there were an armed struggle here while it would be difficult for Britain to support you if Spain turned fascist. Impossible for Germany and Italy. So I ask you again, General. What are they demanding? I've heard about the prisoners from Asturias in 1934. Why can't the government release them as a gesture of good will?"
"Releasing them would only make things worse. They would immediately start organizing strikes to topple the government."
"Then arrest them again for high treason. The main thing is that you buy time and new arrests would show that the left-wing isn't electable."
"I understand what you are suggesting but believe me when I say that it would be misunderstood."
"Then don't release the trouble makers. Convince the government to make some concession in order to buy time. I'm not suggesting that you make concessions, General."
"You can talk to the government if you wish but they won't be very receptive either."
"Thank you. I would appreciate the opportunity."
"Let's have lunch. We can talk further in the restaurant."

[Diarist]

They had tapas in the restaurant so I took several dishes of food - albondigas, pylpos (squid) and salad.
"What can you tell me about the mood in England, Sir Robert?"
"I know nothing, General, but unofficially I can tell you that there are contingency plans to support a civilian Spanish government if there is a communist threat. The French have troops positioned north of the border while the Royal Navy has ships and transports off the Andalusian coast."
"You are suggesting foreign troops on Spanish soil?"
"They would be offered but you don't have to accept them although I believe you would want them. The key word though is 'civilian'. We wouldn't support Spain if there were a military takeover. We were here earlier this month to support the civilian Spanish government and we hoped that our support would be enough to convince people not to vote communist. I hope that our help did contribute to your victory."
"I believe that it did. Many Spaniards want to be part of the new Europe that your delegation spoke of just like there are many who want to be part of a communist revolution."
"Well, we can safely say that the two are mutually exclusive."
"I can assure you that I have no desire to take over the government. Although if the communists were in power I would probably think differently."
"And I certainly wouldn't be here now. If there is a civil war though the Soviets would want to send troops and equipment and I'm sure the communists would accept everything offered."
"Very true, Sir Robert. Spain is very divided. So divided that a civil war is almost inevitable."
"That's the leadership talking, not the people. A civil war must be the last resort. Buy more time by organizing a National Reconciliation Conference or invite some of them to join the government. Use the time to pass measures through parliament which address their problems."
"Suggest that to the politicians."
"I will because nobody except perhaps Russia would want to get involved in a conflict here and I would recommend British participation only if Russia were involved. In the worst case scenario could you secure Madrid and Barcelona?"
"I'm moving extra troops to Madrid but because Barcelona, and Valencia for that matter, are communist strongholds the situation is more uncertain there."
"What about the Spanish forces in Africa? Would they support a communist rebellion?"
"Not at all."
"I could ask London to ship some of them to the mainland but they would require the Spanish Navy to escort them. No British flag can be visible."
"Tonight?"
"Too early but I would have to go to my Embassy to discuss the request."
"Please do that. I shall make preparations so we can be ready if you get permission."
"Be discrete though. Avoid using the radio."

[Diarist]

I went to the British Embassy in the early evening to give them a letter for Winston which would leave Madrid for London at daybreak tomorrow. I also telephoned TRADOC HQ to have someone meet the aircraft so that my letter wouldn't take the scenic route via the Foreign Office. I also had a 30 minute chat with Sir Henry Chilton, the British Ambassador to Spain. He had nothing new to report, only rumours, and of course I told him nothing about TRADOC/MoD business. I did get some news about what's going on at home in London. Apparently the three-way talks between Britain are progressing well. Daladier and Adenauer are suggesting a new summit in Luxembourg. Maybe it will happen next month. I'm secretly hoping to stay out of it if defence policies are not on the agenda. I have enough work to do and I am still hoping to travel to Washington soon.
Afterwards I met Wilhelm at a club he suggested. Apparently many Germans go there. The German Embassy in Madrid has quite a lot of personnel - I wonder why.
"I'm glad you could be here in time to enjoy the excellent cuisine," he greeted me.
"it was the obligatory chat and drinks that occupied most of my time. Have I missed anything?"
"I was hoping you would have something interesting from Franco."
"Not much really, Wilhelm. He told me that he is increasing the number of troops in Madrid and Barcelona. They appear to be the most volatile areas. I have a meeting with members of the government tomorrow morning. What do you have arranged?"
"I'm visiting something they call the Cuartel de la Montaña. Apparently it is the main army depot in this region."
"Then let's hope it is well guarded. I've been suggesting that they make concessions to the socialists/communists in order to gain some time but Franco isn't too keen on that idea."
"The people I've spoken to don't have much faith in the opposition either. What did you tell Winston?"
"I didn't talk to Winston but I wrote that the elections were close but they appear to be legitimate. I also mentioned that there is little chance of a power sharing agreement. So why are you going to this Cuartel de la...?"
"Montaña. I was told in confidence that the soldiers patrolling the streets don't have rifle bolts in case they desert. The bolts are all stored in the Cuartel."
I shook my head. "If the wrong people know that then Franco could have big troubles coming his way."
"I know. How long do you intend remaining in Spain, Bob?"
"I'm travelling to Gibraltar in a couple of days. I'm hoping that someone will be there with instructions for me. Did you call Berlin?"
"Yes. They are concerned about the unrests in some cities but I told them the situation appears to be under control. They were pleased to here that I've met you here, by the way."
"Did you mention that the French aren't here?" I asked smiling.
"So why Gibraltar?"
"So I can get further instructions without going through channels. I'm still hoping to visit Bavaria on my way home. I want to see if Heinz has something more formidable than cardboard panzers."
"You are placing a lot of emphasis on joint projects, aren't you."
"Yes. I believe that Britain and Germany both have good designs which other countries would benefit from. Let's be honest. Most armies in Europe have material stockpiled from the last war. That's eighteen years ago, Wilhelm. Most of Germany's weapons were confiscated so when you rearm you automatically modernize."
"Your peacetime army is much smaller than in 1918 though. There can't be that much to replace."
"Democracies are different, Wilhelm. Even if we have only 200,000 troops there are still 2 million rifles in storage. Try convincing parliament that we still need to spend millions of pounds sterling to buy new rifles. And it is not just the RAF and Royal Navy we are competing with for funds but also all the other government departments. Our government wants to be reelected and for the voters jobs are more important than rifles."
"We had democracy in Germany too, Bob."
"And look where it led you!"
Some of the other Germans started to join the conversation now but I managed to extricate myself claiming a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Which is true.