The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that devastated Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939. It began after an attempted coup d’état against the government of the Second Spanish Republic, then under the leadership of president Manuel Azaña, by a group of Spanish Army generals. The nationalist insurgency was supported by the conservative Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas, or C.E.D.A), Carlist groups, and the Fascistic Falange (Falange Española de las J.O.N.S.). The war ended with the victory of the rebel forces, the overthrow of the Republican government, and the founding of a dictatorship led by General Francisco Franco.

The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that devastated Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939. It began after an attempted coup d’état against the government of the Second Spanish Republic, then under the leadership of president Manuel Azaña, by a group of Spanish Army generals. The nationalist insurgency was supported by the conservative Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas, or C.E.D.A), Carlist groups, and the Fascistic Falange (Falange Española de las J.O.N.S.). The war ended with the victory of the rebel forces, the overthrow of the Republican government, and the founding of a dictatorship led by General Francisco Franco.

During the War submarines of the Fascist powers were attacking ships supplying the forces of the Spanish Government. By international agreement international naval patrols were established to enforce maritime law and prevent acts of piracy.

The following RFA’s supported the international naval patrols –

RFA Cherryleaf (1) at Barcelona

RFA Brambleleaf (1) at Oran

RFA Plumleaf (1) at Gibraltar

RFA Montenol at La Rochelle

RFA Prestol at La Coruña

The following RFA was involved in the transportation of Spanish and international evacuees from various ports in Spain to France

RFA Maine (3)