INSURGENT JAN II 1938

The strong cold front has now extended its hold to southerm Spain. While snow flurries continued in the north, sunshine and freezing ground brought an end to the mud in the south.

At the Ebro front, the Nationalist offensive continued unabated. The main effort remained concentrated on the south bank of the river. However, the attack stalled (another “1,” at 4:1 -1).

Troop movement to the Zaragoza area continued. Except for the Ebro battle, all fronts remained quiet.

Additional security forces were constituted to take over guard duty on the Gijon-Valladolid rail line. This will link another port to the secure portion of the rail net.

While the Republican fighters were busy at the Ebro front, Savoia-Marchettis kept up their raids on industrial targets in Barcelona. Beefed-up anti-aircraft defenses (now 7CF) did not prevent them from getting through to cause some additional damage.

LOYALIST JAN II 1938

The Loyalists used their success at the Ebro to strengthen their front. No other ground actions.

I-15 and I-16 Fighters conducted a sweep at an airfield near Barbastro. They were met again by Me-109s, but this time dealt them a bloody nose. However, they missed their target in poor visibility.

Russian SB-2 light bombers attacked factories in Madrid and caused some damage.

Communist guerrilleros made an unsuccessful attempt to blow up a railway station near Soria.

COMMENTARY

Stalemate all around, and not much change in sight until the weather will improve in late spring.