Ebro, Battle of

Principal battle of the Spanish Civil War 24 July-18 November 1938, in the vicinity of Gandesa, about 40 km/25 mi south of Lleida. By the time the battle ended 18 November, the Republicans had lost about 30,000 dead, 20,000 wounded, and 20,000 prisoners, while the Nationalists lost 33,000 killed and wounded. This defeat effectively destroyed the International Brigades and put an end to any hope of Republican victory.

A Republican army under General Juan Modesto had advanced across the River Ebro against the Nationalists, hoping to force a way through and link Cataluña with the rest of Republican-held Spain. The advance carried them almost to Gandesa, where they were stopped by fresh Nationalist troops under General Francisco Franco. Franco counterattacked 1 August and gradually drove the Republicans back. There was a pause while Franco strengthened his force and re-grouped, until 30 October when he launched a powerful attack which drove the Republicans back across the Ebro itself, leaving them in disarray.