1939 Madrid Victory Parade

thumb|Victory Parade in Madrid. The 1939 Madrid Victory Parade (es desfile de la Victoria de Madrid de 1939) was held in Madrid on 19 May 1939, over a month after the victory of the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). It was the climax of a series of parades held in various Spanish capitals. It was also the first of a yearly series, named Día de la Victoria (Victory Day), held on 1 April until 1976, the year after Francisco Franco's death. The parade, along with a church ceremony at Santa Bárbara on the following day, aimed to underscore the enduring nature of Franco's headship of the state during the conflict and to solidify his role as the victorious "Caudillo" to the nation. Preparations After the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, the Franco regime began preparations for a display of power in Madrid, a city that had withstood a siege by the victors for nearly three years. Within a few weeks of Madrid's capitulation on April 14, the specific units that would participate in the parade were determined.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid in the Postwar Period 2005 Silex Editions 9788477371595 66 The Madrid parade was to be the final event in a series that had previously taken place in various locations across Spain, including the Andalusian capitals and Valencia.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 In the spring, Franco embarked on what would be the first of his tours through the Spanish provinces. This tour had the dual purpose of establishing contact with the population and affirming his leadership.Payne Stanley G El Regimen de Franco 1987 Alianza Madrid 9788420695532 247 https://archive.org/details/elregimendefranc0000payn Internet Archive registration In preparation for the parade, extensive arrangements were made throughout the city. The Chamber of Commerce mandated that shop windows should display portraits of Franco and posters with slogans such as "Franco, Franco, Franco, Up Spain," "Glory to the Caudillo," "Spain, One, Great and Free," and "For the Homeland, Bread and Justice." The exteriors of cinemas, theaters, department stores, and cafes were adorned with photographs of Franco and José Antonio, alongside flags of Spain and the Movement. To facilitate these decorations, the army provided 20,000 meters of red and yellow hangings and approximately one hundred thousand flags at cost price.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 Additionally, the population was encouraged to host the parade's leaders and officers in their homes. Due to a lack of sufficient voluntary offers, a mandatory accommodation scheme was implemented on May 9, as the event held official status. A designated route was established for the parade, spanning Paseo del Prado and continuing along Recoletos and Castellana, which were renamed Paseo de Calvo Sotelo and Avenida del Generalísimo, respectively.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 The procession concluded at Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 A tribune, designed in the form of a triumphal arch, was positioned on the right side of the final stretch of the route, between the streets of Lista (currently Ortega y Gasset) and Marqués de Villamagna (where the Hotel Villamagna now stands). This arch was adorned with a tapestry featuring the Eagle of Saint John, and the word "VICTORY" was prominently displayed above the arch. The pillars of the arch each bore the inscription "FRANCO" three times, echoing the repetitive style of the fascist motto "Duce, Duce, Duce," though it may also draw parallels to the liturgical phrase "Holy, Holy, Holy."Mainer Jose-Carlos La Construccion de Franco: primeros anos https://www.uv.es/imagengc/articulos/La%20construccion%20de%20Franco.pdf UV 4 July 2024 Beneath the arch was a specially constructed box with a balcony, decorated at the front with a figure of a victor, from which Franco was to appear. Additional architectural features included a double colonnade erected in Plaza de Colón and a bridge in Plaza de Cibeles.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 The day before the parade, Falangist writer Ernesto Giménez Caballero delivered a speech on the National Radio of Spain, asserting, "The war is not over. The war continues. Still silent: in front of invisible white. And a war as relentless as the one our bodies and our viscera suffered until April 1. It's the same war, it's the same enemies. It is the same scoundrel that will not resign itself until its definitive, historic crushing."Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 That same day, General Francisco Franco arrived in Madrid from Burgos, where the government was still situated, and made a ceremonial entry through the decorated streets of the capital. The press office in Burgos had previously stated that "the entry of General Franco into Madrid will follow the ritual observed when Alfonso VI, accompanied by the Cid, took Toledo in the Middle Ages."Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 The Marchioness of Argüelles offered him the Palacio de la Huerta on Serrano Street for his stay; this location is currently the site of the American embassy in Spain.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 The parade was commanded by General Andrés Saliquet, Commander of the Madrid Military Region, and was presided by the Franco. More than 120,000 men and 1,000 vehicles took part in the parade, including small contingents of the German Condor Legion, the Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie and the Portuguese Viriatos. The forces went along Paseo de la Castellana, the main Madrid avenue, in a North to South direction and in total spent around 4 hours in marching past the full path. Around 400,000 people attended the event. The environment was spectacularly fitted out with countless patriotic, triumphal and Franco's Cult of personality slogans. The Parade May 19 was designated as "Victory Day," a public holiday to facilitate attendance at the parade. By six in the morning, approximately 400,000 individuals had already gathered along the parade route.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 The Retiro Park, which had been closed to the public since the end of the war, was reopened for the occasion. The Metro line 2, running between Sol and Cuatro Caminos, was closed until three in the afternoon to accommodate the event. Throughout the city center, members of the Women's Section moved through the crowd, selling copies of their magazine, Y (an archaic initial of Isabel la Católica), while members from the Movement distributed a special issue of the newspaper Arriba.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 thumb|Dictator Franco arrives at the Madrid Víctory Parade and salutes de troops. At nine in the morning, the Generalissimo, Francisco Franco, took his position on the platform beneath the triumphal arch.Fontana Josep Villares Ramon History of Spain Vol. 9 2021 Editorial Critica Madrid 9788491993551 990 https://tienda.comillas.edu/historia-de-espa-a-volumen-9-la-dictadura-de-franco.html 5 July 2024 He arrived in an open Hispano-Suiza J12 convertible with a Vanvooren body and armored protection,The J12 Type https://hispanosuiza.webcindario.com/tipo68.htm Hispano Suiza 5 July 2024 accompanied by General Saliquet, chief of the Army of the Center.Llega el Caudillo ABC Madrid May 20, 1939 https://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1939/05/20/010.html 5 July 2024 Franco was dressed in a military uniform, which included the Falangist blue shirt and the red beret associated with the Carlists.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 Present on the platform were the full government, army generals and chiefs, and about thirty laureate knights, military personnel who had been awarded the Laureate Cross of San Fernando.The J12 Type https://hispanosuiza.webcindario.com/tipo68.htm Hispano Suiza 5 July 2024 The ceremony commenced with General Franco being awarded the Grand Laureate Cross of San Fernando, Spain's highest military decoration. This honor, established during the War of Independence, could only be bestowed by the king or, in his absence, the individual exercising executive power.Casanova Julian La Iglesia de Franco Jan 16, 2001 Booket Madrid 8484326756 228 The decoration ceremony was led by General Gómez Jordana, the Vice President of the Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who read the decree granting the decoration.de Riquer Borja Franco's Dictatorship: Volume 9 (History of Spain) Sep 29, 2021 Editorial Critica Madrid 978-8491993551 59 General Varela, himself a recipient of two laureate crosses, then presented the decoration to Franco "in the name of the Homeland."Casanova Julian La Iglesia de Franco Jan 16, 2001 Booket Madrid 8484326756 228 The proposal to award this decoration had been initiated by several city councils,Casanova Julian La Iglesia de Franco Jan 16, 2001 Booket Madrid 8484326756 228 including Madrid,del Pilar Amparo Perez Garcia Maria The Victory Parade http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm Fundacion Nacional Francisco Franco https://web.archive.org/web/20160408121841/http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm 10 July 2024 2016-04-08 and was also supported by the exiled King Alfonso.Casanova Julian La Iglesia de Franco Jan 16, 2001 Booket Madrid 8484326756 228 Shortly thereafter, Cardinal Isidro Gomá, the primate of Spain, joined the dignitaries on the platform.Llega el Caudillo ABC Madrid May 20, 1939 https://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1939/05/20/010.html 5 July 2024 Historical accounts vary, but estimates of the number of troops who participated in the parade range from 120,000de Riquer Borja Franco's Dictatorship: Volume 9 (History of Spain) Sep 29, 2021 Editorial Critica Madrid 978-8491993551 59 to 250,000.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 These troops represented the majority of units that had fought in the war, including foreign contingents that had supported Franco during the civil conflict, such as the Portuguese Viriatos, the Italian Corpo di Truppe Volontarie, and the German Condor Legion. At the base of the platform, on a small dais, various historical banners were displayed, with the Valencian Royal Senyera positioned at the center. These flags were carried by army ensigns. Civil guards and members of the Khalifa's guard were tasked with guarding the dais.Llega el Caudillo ABC Madrid May 20, 1939 https://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1939/05/20/010.html 5 July 2024 General Saliquet initially led the parade before joining the rest of the authorities on the platform.del Pilar Amparo Perez Garcia Maria The Victory Parade http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm Fundacion Nacional Francisco Franco https://web.archive.org/web/20160408121841/http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm 10 July 2024 2016-04-08 Following him were the troops of the Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie, commanded by General Gambara. This contingent included a band of Carabinieri, a squad of Blackshirts performing a Roman salute with daggers raised, and mechanized and cavalry units.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 The Falangist militias, including the requetés who carried large crucifixes, as well as troops from the Legion, Moroccan mercenaries, and a unit of Andalusian gentlemen on horseback, also participated.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 Generals García Valiño and Solchaga led their respective troops.del Pilar Amparo Perez Garcia Maria The Victory Parade http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm Fundacion Nacional Francisco Franco https://web.archive.org/web/20160408121841/http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm 10 July 2024 2016-04-08 All units displayed the battle-worn banners they had carried during the war.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 The parade concluded with the Portuguese Viriatos and the German Condor Legion, under the command of General Wolfram von Richthofen.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 The parade lasted approximately five hours and involved significant economic expenditure, including 115 infantry units, 200 artillery batteries, 25 anti-tank guns, 20 anti-aircraft batteries, 27 cavalry squadrons, two anti-aircraft machine gun companies, 150 battle tanks, 500 motorcycles, and 3,000 cars and trucks.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 If arranged linearly, these forces would have extended over 25 kilometers. General Varela was positioned to the right of Franco, with Saliquet to the left.del Pilar Amparo Perez Garcia Maria The Victory Parade http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm Fundacion Nacional Francisco Franco https://web.archive.org/web/20160408121841/http://www.fnff.es/El_desfile_de_la_Victoria_312_c.htm 10 July 2024 2016-04-08 Additionally, a squadron of 62 biplanes participated, forming the words "Viva Franco" in the sky, alongside another airplane that wrote the Generalissimo's name with smoke. Despite rain falling around midday for about an hour,Llega el Caudillo ABC Madrid May 20, 1939 https://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1939/05/20/010.html 5 July 2024 the parade continued without interruption. After the parade, a banquet was held at the Palacio Real. Later, General Francisco Franco delivered a radio address to the nation, in which he issued a stern warning against "certain nations," notably France and the United Kingdom, cautioning them against using economic pressures to influence the policies of the new Spanish State. In his speech, Franco expressed his commitment to suppress the political factions that had been defeated in the civil war and to remain vigilant against what he described as "the Jewish spirit that allowed the alliance of big capital with Marxism."Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 He also attributed the "martyrdom of Madrid" during the war to the actions of the defeated parties.Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 In the afternoon, Franco attended a performance of the zarzuela "Doña Francisquita" at the Calderón Theater. Additionally, a bullfighting event was organized by the Provincial Council at Las Ventas, featuring renowned matadors such as Marcial Lalanda, Vicente Barrera, Domingo Ortega, Antonio Cañero, Pepe Amorós, Pepe Bienvenida, and "El Estudiante."Montoliu Camps Pedro Madrid en la Posguerra 2005 Silex Ediciones 8477371598 430 https://books.google.com/books?id=He5mKh425wEC 3 July 2024 The Ceremony of the Church of Santa Barbara: the Offering of the Sword of Victory The celebrations continued the following day with a symbolic religious ceremony held at the Church of Santa Bárbara in the capital. The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Isidro Gomá, the Primate of Spain, and attended by twenty other bishops. During the ceremony, the dictator presented the "Sword of Victory over the Infidels," a ritual historically performed by the kings of Castile. In a highly symbolic gesture, Franco entered the church under a canopy, a liturgical privilege traditionally reserved for Spanish monarchs. He was greeted by the choir from the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos, which performed a Mozarabic chant from the tenth century, typically reserved for the reception of princes.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 Various relics present during the ceremony evoked the memory of past Spanish leaders such as Don Pelayo, the Great Captain, and Juan de Austria. After the Te Deum and the pontifical Mass, a ceremony reminiscent of a coronation took place, featuring the anointing of the Caudillo and the acknowledgment of the "providential" nature of his leadership. Generalísimo Franco then recited the following prayer:Payne Stanley G El Regimen de Franco 1987 Madrid: Alianza Spain 9788420695532 220 https://archive.org/details/elregimendefranc0000payn Internet Archive registration Lord God, in whose hands are right and all power, lend me your assistance to lead this people to full freedom from the empire, for the glory of you and the Church. Lord: may all men know Jesus, who is Christ, Son of the living God. The sword of victory was placed on the main altar in front of the Christ of Lepanto, which had been specially transported from Barcelona for the occasion. Subsequently, it was displayed in the Cathedral of Toledo.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 That same afternoon, the Head of State met with the diplomatic corps at the Monastery of El Escorial. The selection of rituals and venues was designed to draw parallels between Franco's recent "Liberation Crusade" and the historical conflicts fought by Hispanic Christians against Muslims.Preston Paul Franco: Caudillo de Espana Jan 1, 1998 Grijalbo Spain 978-8439702412 This symbolism was also reflective of Franco's intention to maintain his hold on power.de Riquer Borja Franco's Dictatorship: Volume 9 (History of Spain) Sep 29, 2021 Editorial Critica Madrid 978-8491993551 59 Evolution and decline of the Victory Parade Beginning in 1940, the Victory Parade was annually held on April 1, designated as "Victory Day," and continued without interruption until 1976. In 1964, the event was renamed the "Peace Parade" to commemorate the 25th anniversary of peace in Spain. Originally established as a national holiday, Victory Day eventually lost this designation. To avoid inclement weather, the event was later moved to one of the Sundays in May. After the death of Francisco Franco, the 1976 parade took place on May 30.The Victory Parade Will Take Place on May 30 https://elpais.com/diario/1976/05/11/espana/200613602_850215.html 22 July 2024 El Pais May 10, 1976 Although there was an initial government attempt to change its name, resistance from the General Captaincy of Madrid prevented this. In 1977, the parade was officially renamed and subsequently known as the "Day of the Armed Forces" parade. This military parade, which evolved from the Victory Parade, was traditionally held at the end of May each year. For several years, the location of the parade rotated among the various General Captaincies. Eventually, under the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the celebration of Armed Forces Day was restructured to include a series of civil-military events aimed at promoting the Armed Forces. See also Hispano-Suiza J12 References Sources Casanova Julián 2010 The Spanish Republic and Civil War Cambridge, England; New York, NY Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-73780-7 Payne Stanley G. Stanley G. Payne Franco and Hitler: Spain, Germany, and World War II 2008 Connecticut, CT 978-0-300-12282-4 Yale University Press Payne Stanley G. Stanley G. Payne Spain: A Unique History 2011 978-0299250249 University of Wisconsin Press Payne Stanley G. Stanley G. Payne The Spanish Civil War 2012 978-0-521-17470-1 Cambridge University Press Preston Paul 1986 1996 A Concise history of the Spanish Civil War Fontana London 978-0-00-686373-1 231702516 Thomas Hugh The Spanish Civil War Hugh Thomas (writer) 1961 London Eyre and Spottiswoode 1st Westwell Ian Condor Legion: The Wehrmacht's Training Ground Ian Allan publishing 2004 978-0-7110-3043-5 Spearhead 15 Category:Military history of the Spanish Civil War Madrid Victory Parade Victory Parade, 1939 Category:Military history of Madrid Madrid Victory Parade Category:Military parades