37th Division (Spain)

The 37th Division was a military formation belonging to the Spanish Republican Army that fought during the Spanish Civil War. It was deployed on the Extremadura front during the entire war.

37th Division
37.ª División
ActiveMay 1937–March 1939
Country Spain
AllegianceSecond Spanish Republic Republican faction
Branch Spanish Republican Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsSpanish Civil War:
Commanders
Notable
commanders		José Ruiz Farrona
José Sabín Pérez

History

The unit was created in May 1937,[1] in the Front of Extremadura. The division, which was made up of the mixed brigades 20th, 63rd, 91st and 109th,[1] was assigned to VII Army Corps.[2] It had its headquarters in Castuera.[3] During the following months, it remained in its positions, without intervening in relevant operations.

In July 1938, it took part in the Battle of Merida pocket, during which he suffered considerable damage. Its 20th and 91st brigades were isolated inside the pocket,[4] suffering heavy losses, although some troops managed to escape the siege. For its part, the 109th Mixed Brigade was completely destroyed,[5] although it was rebuilt later. The division was subjected to a reorganization, with the militia major José Sabín Pérez taking command.[6] [7]

It did not take part in major military operations again.

Command
Commanders
  • Lieutenant Colonel Juan Arce Mayora[8]
  • Lieutenant Colonel José Ruiz Farrona[9]
  • Infantry captain Justo López Mejías[10]
  • Infantry commander Alejandro Sánchez Cabezudo[11]
  • Infantry commander Antonio Cano Chacón[6]
  • Militia major José Sabín Pérez;[7]
  • Militia major Donato Sánchez Lueño;[6]
  • Militia major Olegario Pachón Núñez;
Commissars
  • Benigno Cardeñoso Negrete, of the PSOE;[12]
  • Miguel Carnicero, from the PSOE;[13]
  • Germán Clemente de la Cruz, from the CNT;
Chiefs of Staff
  • Commander Donato Sánchez Muñoz;
  • Captain Pedro Tirado Navarro;
  • Commander Manuel Luque Molinello;

Order of battle
DateAttached Army CorpsIntegrated mixed brigadesBattlefront
June 1937VII Army Corps20th, 63rd, 91st and 109thEstremadura
March-April 1938VII Army Corps20th, 63rd, 91stEstremadura
July 1938VII Army Corps20th, 91st and 148thEstremadura
July 20, 1938VII Army Corps20th, 91st and 109thEstremadura
August 15, 1938VII Army Corps4th, 20th and 109thEstremadura
October 23, 1938VII Army Corps4th, 20th and 109thEstremadura

References
  1. Engel 1999, p. 215.
  2. Martínez Bande 1981, p. 85.
  3. Romero García 2001, p. 100.
  4. Martínez Bande 1981, p. 242.
  5. Engel 1999, p. 99.
  6. Engel 1999, p. 216.
  7. Martínez Bande 1981, p. 249.
  8. Zaragoza 1983, p. 56.
  9. Martínez Bande 1981, p. 107.
  10. Elisardo Penas García. AGMAV, Documentation 37 Division, Memories
  11. Martínez Bande 1981, p. 167.
  12. Álvarez Gómez 1989, p. 180.
  13. Álvarez Gómez 1989, p. 188.

Bibliography
  • Álvarez Gómez, Santiago (1989). Los comisarios políticos en el Ejército Popular de la República (in Spanish). Ediciós do Castro.
  • Engel, Carlos (1999). Historia de las Brigadas mixtas del Ejército Popular de la República (in Spanish). Madrid: Almena. ISBN 84-922644-7-0.
  • Martínez Bande, José Manuel (1981). La batalla de Pozoblanco y el cierre de la bolsa de Mérida (in Spanish). Madrid: San Martín.
  • Romero García, Eladi (2001). Itinerarios de la guerra civil española: guía del viajero curios (in Spanish).
  • Zaragoza, Cristóbal (1983). Ejército Popular y Militares de la República, 1936-1939 (in Spanish). Barcelona: Ed. Planeta.
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