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Why didn't Spain join the Axis? (Patreon)

Published:
2018-04-13 17:01:10
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2026-06
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Why Spain didn't join the Axis?

Franco was supported by Germany and Italy during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Yet, he didn't join the Axis during the Second World War? What were the reasons for this? Was he reluctant to join or did the Axis didn't want him? Did the Allies lure him away with threats or provided support to stay out? What about the Blue Division? Was Gibraltar not important enough? Why was Operation Felix cancelled? »» SUPPORT MHV «« » patreon - https://www.patreon.com/mhv » paypal donation - https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TFHEY4P4YU3NY » Book Wishlist https://www.amazon.de/gp/registry/wishlist/3LJIXNJIUXJES/ref=cm_wl_huc_view »» MERCHANDISE - SPOILS OF WAR «« » shop - https://www.redbubble.com/people/mhvis/shop »» SOCIAL MEDIA «« » minds.com - https://www.minds.com/militaryhistoryvisualized » facebook - https://www.facebook.com/milhistoryvisualized/ » twitter - https://twitter.com/MilHiVisualized » twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/militaryhistoryvisualized » RallyPoint - https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/military-history-visualized » tumblr - http://militaryhistoryvisualized.tumblr.com/ Military History Vlogs is a support channel to Military History Visualized with a focus personal accounts, answering questions that arose on the main channel and showcasing events like visiting museums, using equipment or military hardware. » SOURCES « » DISCLAIMER « Amazon Associates Program: “Bernhard Kast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.” Bernhard Kast ist Teilnehmer des Partnerprogramms von Amazon Europe S.à.r.l. und Partner des Werbeprogramms, das zur Bereitstellung eines Mediums für Websites konzipiert wurde, mittels dessen durch die Platzierung von Werbeanzeigen und Links zu amazon.de Werbekostenerstattung verdient werden können. » CREDITS & SPECIAL THX « Song: Ethan Meixsell - Demilitarized Zone

Comments

Richard Stokes

Good old-fashioned bribery played its part. Using its contacts with Juan March, the Bank of England channelled millions of dollars into the accounts of influential Spanish generals to ensure they opted for neutrality! See Angel Vinas 'Bribes: How Churchill and March bought Franco's generals' referenced in Nicholas Rankin's new book DEFENDING THE ROCK (ie Gibraltar). This bribery policy was also discussed in Denis Smyth's Diplomacy and Strategy of Survival. British Policy and Franco´s Spain, 1940-1941 (1986)

AUTKaiser

Have I overlooked them or are the sources missing?

Richard Stokes

I don't think Vinas has been translated into English yet. The source for the secret Spanish neutrality operation is now available in the National Archives. See their description below: "FO File 1093/233 and FO 1093-234 relate to British efforts to prevent Spain from entering the war on the side of the Germans, and to stimulate resistance in Spain should the country be invaded. The British ambassador in Madrid, Sir Samuel Hoare, together with the Naval Attaché Captain Hillgarth, was particularly closely involved in a plot to 'give the Right Wing the sinews of war' and to form an organisation that would be 'pro-Spanish and anti-foreign'. The plot was organised by Juan March, who had been a double agent in the First World War, and who was paid a great deal of money to influence Spanish generals, including Franco's brother Nicholas, against joining the war on the German side. In 1941 the plans were threatened by the freezing of $10 million held in a US bank account that were to be paid to persons in Spain, using March as an intermediary for 'political services rendered'. In October 1941 an appeal was made, endorsed personally by Churchill, to the US Treasury to unfreeze the funds. There was considerable discussion of how much the Americans should be told, particularly since March's activities were not always legal."

Richard Stokes

Interesting that this operation left its trace in the Secret Archives only because America almost blocked the bank accounts that were used and the UK had to intervene. This makes me wonder if there were other secret wartime operations that have never seen the light of day?

Richard Stokes

Realpolitik: Britain also avoided political friction with Spain by refusing to officially recognise the Spanish Republican exiles sheltering in London. At one stage, the British Cabinet considered deporting Juan Lopez (Franco's opponent). This contrasts with their strong support for groups exiled from other European countries such as France , Holland and Poland.