Battle of Badajoz | |||||||
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Part of Spanish Civil War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Spanish Republic | Nationalist rebels | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Col. Ildefonso Puigdendolas |
Lt. Col. Juan Yagüe Lt. Col. Carlos Asensio Lt. Col. Antonio Castejón | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
3rd Infantry Regiment Castile | Madrid Column | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
6,000 4,000[1] 2,000 militiamen, 500 soldiers[2] up 2,000[3] some bombers[4] |
3,000 regulars 30 guns at least four bombers[5][6] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
750 dead 3,500 wounded, captured or missing |
185 casualties: 44 dead, 141 wounded[7][8] |
The Battle of Badajoz was one of the first major engagements of the Spanish Civil War, resulting in a tactical and strategic Nationalist victory, however at a significant cost in time and troops. After several days of shelling and bombardment, Nationalists stormed the fortified border city of Badajoz on August 14, 1936, cutting off the Spanish Republic from neighbouring Portugal and linking the northern and southern zones of Nationalist control (although actual contact with General Emilio Mola's northern troops was not established until September 8).