A Cup of Coffee in Huesca, August 1936

General Briefing

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and seat of both Catalonian seperatism and a militant urban proletariat, was a fundamental source of power for the Republican government. The military rebellion prompted the formation of workers militias of various political hues, often accompanied by ramshackle homemade armoured vehicles. After staking out their own political boundaries within the city, many of these militias set out to defend the gains on the revolution, and in a halting and uncoordinated fashion set out to take the centre of Nationalist power in the region, Pamplona. The main road from Barcelona to Pamplona passed though the otherwise unremarkable town of Huesca. The polyglot local Nationalist forces just attempted to hang on, awaiting relief from the Army of Africa, fighting its way northwards.

Republican briefing

The enemy has fallen back slowly before your uncoordinated advance, however at some point they are likely to make a stand. Surprisingly political rivalries between the various factional militias have not proved a particular difficulty so far, however large numbers of the more revolutionary militias have been diverted from their military tasks by more pressing matters, such as politicising the peasantry, burning churches, establishing community art centres etc. The home-made armoured vehicles have prove to be of very limited military value, yet the militias insist on bring these contraptions with them. The core of your force has proved to be the well trained and reliable Assault Guards (riot police).

Republican Objectives

Clear the road through Huesca.

Avoid the loss of your artillery, there isn't much left which still works!

Setting the church in Huesca on fire would make many of the troops extremely pleased.

Forces

Communist Militia (Militia)5 x rifle, 1 x Armoured truck

Anarchist Militia (Militia)4 x rifle, 1 x LMG, 1 x Armoured truck

Socialist Militia (Militia)5 x rifle, 1 x MMG

Marxist Militia (Militia)6 x rifle

Assault Guards (Trained)4 x rifle, 1 x truck, 1 x armoured car

Artillery battery (Militia)2 x light guns (horse drawn)

Troops setup on table up to 10" in, deploy in alternate fashion unit by unit, Nationalists start first.

Hills provide cover but are impassable to wheeled vehicles.

A Cup of Coffee in Huesca, August 1936

General Briefing

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and seat of both Catalonian seperatism and a militant urban proletariat, was a fundamental source of power for the Republican government. The military rebellion prompted the formation of workers militias of various political hues, often accompanied by ramshackle homemade armoured vehicles. After staking out their own political boundaries within the city, many of these militias set out to defend the gains on the revolution, and in a halting and uncoordinated fashion set out to take the centre of Nationalist power in the region, Pamplona. The main road from Barcelona to Pamplona passed though the otherwise unremarkable town of Huesca. The polyglot local Nationalist forces just attempted to hang on, awaiting relief from the Army of Africa, fighting its way northwards.

Nationalist Briefing

Your weak forces have fallen back slowly delaying the enemy, however the more rugged terrain in the vicinity of Huesca offers a chance to hold them up significantly. The local rebel units are of fairly low quality, however some of the regular army units which joined the rebellion have proved to be dependable.

Nationalist Objectives

Prevent the capture of Huesca.

Maintain control of the hills overlooking the town.

Avoid the loss of more than two units.

Forces

Local Guardia Civil (Militia)4 x rifle, 1 x HMG, 1 x truck

Carlist Militia (Militia)4 x rifle, 1 x HMG

Rebel infantry (Militia)4 x rifle, 1 x LMG, 1 x HMG

Cavalry Regiment (Trained)4 x cavalry - may start dismounted if desired.

Tank Battalion (Trained)1 x MG armed tank

Motorised Artillery Battery (Trained)1 x Field gun + tow truck

Troops setup on table up to 30" in, deploy in alternate fashion unit by unit, Nationalists start first.

These units may all be dug into light cover.

Hills provide cover but are impassable to wheeled vehicles.