The 80th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39, prelude to WWII

Lest we forget: The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, the first battle  of World War II to come, broke out July 17,  80 years ago. The Spanish army, under the fascist leader,  Francisco Franco,  rebelled against the legitimately elected government of the Spanish Republic in what became  one of the “bloodstirring episodes of European history.” The rebels were supplied by Hitler and Mussolini,  while the Western democrcies, including. U.S. sat back. Only Stalinist  Russia supplied the Republic with arms. The rebels were victorious.  Spain became a “fascist state “ under dictator Franco until he died in 1975. 2,800 Americans fought on the side of the Republic; most in the “Lincoln Brigade.” About 750 died.  Read “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press,) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  as well as “A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe,” 3^rd edition. (Pelican Publishing). Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com