Germany - Spanish Civil War - 31 Jul to 20 Dec 1938

31 Jul 1938: The beginning of an offensive to encircle the Spanish forces defending Zaragoza.

07 Aug 1938: We've crossed the river and the next enemy position is about to be overrun.

10 Aug 1938: The Panzerkorps swings west towards Teruel while 20. Infanterie-Division attacks from the northwest,

The Spanish counterattack my Panzerkorps but 3. Panzer-Division continues its advance.

16 Aug 1938: The Battle for Teruel.

23 Aug 1938: The encirclement is complete. I count 10 divisions trapped, maybe more.

28 Aug 1938: The perimeter holds and the Spanish pocket shrinks under the pressure from the south.

05 Sep 1938: On the coast 16. Infanterie-Division is facing a counterattack but it is supported by Luftwaffe He-111s and 3. Panzer-Division.

15 Sep 1938: The Republicans have broken the encirclement in the west. 22. Infanterie-Division is given orders to help close the ring again.

23 Sep 1938: Mission accomplished. 2. Panzer-Division is supporting the 22. Inf. On the coast we have captured Valencia.

30 Sep 1938: I count only 5 Republican divisions in the pocket. 2. Panzer-Division is attacking northeastwards. Intensive battles around Valencia.

03 Oct 1938: 3. Panzer-Division joins the 2. Panzer-Division attacking south of Zaragoza. Around Valencia 16. and 20. Infanterie-Divisionen are counterattacking westwards.

07 Oct 1938: The breakthrough is imminent and the two divisions are ordered to roll-up the line. Progress south of Zaragoza too.

11 Oct 1938: We enjoy air-superiority over NE Iberia.

Overwhelming superiority in fact.

25 Oct 1938: Zaragoza has fallen. In the south 1. Panzer- and 20. Infanterie-Divisionen are attacking Cuenca.

29 Nov 1938: The pocket around Zaragoza has been eliminated and our forces have regrouped. The new objective is to capture Madrid and encircle the Republican forces north of their capital.

13 Dec 1938: Madrid has fallen and 1. Panzer-Division is attacking westwards in order to complete the encirclement.

20 Dec 1938: Success! Eight enemy divisions have been trapped.

How much longer can Republican Spain hold out? Can anything stop Rommel's Panzerkorps?