Bombing of Cabra

The bombing of Cabra (7 November, 1938) was a aerial bombing raid on the town of Cabra, Andalusia during the Spanish Civil War. The air raid carried out by the Republican faction killed 109 civilians and wounded more than 200.

Bombing of Cabra
Part of the Spanish Civil War
DateNovember 7, 1938
Location
Cabra, Cordoba, Spain
Result 107 civilians killed
Belligerents
 Spanish Republic  Nationalist Spain
Strength
3 SB-2 bombers
Casualties and losses
None 109 civilians killed
200+ civilians injured

Background

Throughout 1938, the Spanish Republican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de la República Española, FARE) carried out air bombings against Nationalist-held cities (among them Seville and Valladolid)[1] in retaliation for the bombing of Republican held cities such as Barcelona, Alicante and Granollers.

The attacks

On 7 November 1938, three Tupolev SB bombers of the FARE, bombed the town of Cabra, in the province of Córdoba. One of the 200 kilograms (440 lb) bombs fell on the town's market, killing dozens of civilians.[2] The aircraft dropped six tons of bombs. Most of the bombs exploded in the market and in the working class districts. There were between 101[2] and 109 civilians dead and 200 wounded.[3] The Nationalist anti-aircraft artillery was taken by surprise and reacted too late. The airstrike was carried out in the mistaken belief that Italian mechanized troops were stationed in the village. Once over the target, the pilots mistook the market's awnings for military tents.[4]

Aftermath

The bombing of Cabra was the deadliest bombing carried out by the Republican air force during the war.

See also

References
  1. Thomas, Hugh. The Spanish Civil War. Penguin Books. 2001. London. p.773
  2. "ABC Córdoba - Noticias de Córdoba en ABC". ABC de Sevilla. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  3. es:Bombardeo de Cabra
  4. Saiz Cidoncha, Carlos (2006). «Desde la batalla del Ebro hasta el final de la guerra». Aviación republicana: historia de las Fuerzas Aéreas de la República Española (1931-1939) III. Madrid: Almena Ediciones. ISBN 84-96170-23-3.


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