Siege of the Alcazar, 1936

This game was set during the opening stages of the Spanish Civil War and played in Sheffield back in August 2024.  It was in turn a development of a game run a few years previously by Funny Little Wars author Mr PHW.

Situation: The Army revolt against the Republic has been partially successful, but has left the Infantry Officer’s school isolated behind enemy lines.  The Alhambra is a Medieval fortress, modernised in parts and very, very strong.  The Garrison have taken over the outlying hospital and stable complex which are hastily fortified buildings.  Relief is on the way, from the Colonial Army but the Republic are determined to capture the Alhambra and secure a major propaganda victory.

Objectives

Army – to defend the Alhambra fortress until the end of play – and fight to the last toy soldier if necessary.  Optional  - conduct a sortie against the enemy.

Republic – to capture the Alhambra fortress before the end of play, and use all means available.  Optional – to maintain cohesion in the different factions in the Republic army and find the guilty men.

A cast of toy soldiers and players was assembled and battle commenced.

The republican players were all vying for overall command and faced varying levels of difficulty in controlling the militias.

The mighty fortified military academy.  The accurate* model has at it's core the Armies in Plastic Afghan fort, with bits of Elastolin castles, sandbag sections and buildings added.

The Republic's forces were riven with the factionalism which characterised the conflict.  Here is the Communist commissar with his loudspeaker van.  His troops soon worked out that only by engaging in combat would the sounds of gunfire drown out his inspiring political speeches.

The rest of the town was rather representational.  Here we can see defenders manning for fortifications.  The piles of wooden blocks indicate areas which have been shelled.

The socialist militia, supported by Asaltos.

The actual army had provided some high-tech kit, including these Renault tanks!

The view from the roof of the Telefonica building.  The communists control the building (surprise!) while the Battalion del Muerte advance under cover of an abandoned tram.

Militias assault the weakest part of the fort, still accompanied by the persistent ramblings of the Commissar.

The garrison was mostly cadets and small numbers of Civil Guards - the latter still upholding standards in their white gloves!

In the fort the medical teams were kept busy.  Here a Nationalist aeroplane drops messages for the Colonel.

The attack was observed by a government minister....

...who had arrived from Madrid in a stylish motor car and observed from a safe distance.  Historically, the siege was day-trippable from the capital, with small crowds gathering for a picnic and a couple of hours sniping.

Here, the socialist milita get close enough to for the garrison to fire off some shrapnel rounds,  Carnage!

Government aviator's view of the fort.  I think it looks rather grand.

Another view of the busy hospital (actually in the cellars).  Note the Colonel's private latrine in the background.  During the battle I informed the Republicans that they had captured the Colonel's son.  They did same as their historical counterparts and rang the Colonel on the still functioning telephone.  Calling upon him to surrender, the son was given the 'phone and implored his father not to give in.  The Colonel stood firm and the poor lad was duly executed a few months later.

Guardia Civil man the walls.

While the battle raged, (and indeed before it began) a detachment of Asturian miners had been digging under the gatehouse.  This done, charged were placed and detonated....

...the result - no gatehouse!  This greatly encouraged the attackers who surged forward.

The miners themselves in the foreground. I'll do a seperate post about some of the figures I bodged especially for this game.

The desperate fight hangs in the balance.  We agreed that the fort would eventually fall but only after a few more days.  But of course the Army of Africa soon arrived and put the Government forces to flight.

Regular army troops preparing to  advance.

Tanks break into the outer fortifications.

What can only be described as a 'mess' of militia waiting for a post-game sort out.

A very pleasing game to run which benefitted from some disturbingly enthusiastic role playing from the players.