Guadalajara offensive and Navy Yard–Ballpark station: Difference between pages

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{{WMATA infobox

{{Battlebox|

|name = Navy Yard

battle_name=Battle of Guadalajara

|picture = Navy_yard.jpg

|campaign=Spanish Civil War

|opened = [[December 28]], [[1991]]

|colour_scheme=background:#cccccc

|platform = Center platform

|image=

|RTU = -

|caption=

|line info = {{WMATA line|previous=[[Anacostia (Washington Metro)|Anacostia]]|line=Green|next=[[Waterfront-SEU (Washington Metro)|Waterfront-SEU]]}}

|conflict=[[Spanish Civil War]]

|}}'''Navy Yard''' is a [[Washington Metro]] station in [[Washington, DC]] on the [[Green Line (Washington Metro)|Green Line]]. The station is located in [[Washington DC (southeast)|Southeast Washington]], with entrances on M Street at Half Street and New Jersey Avenue.

|date=[[March 8]] - [[March 27]], [[1937]]

|place=[[Guadalajara, Spain| Guadalajara]], [[Spain]]

|result=Decisive Republican victory

|combatant1=[[Second Spanish Republic]]

|combatant2=[[Fascism#Italian Fascism|Italy]]

|commander1=Enrique Jurado

|commander2=Mario Roatta

|strength1=20,000 infantry<br>45 guns<br>60 light tanks<br>70 aircraft

|strength2=45,000 infantry<br>270 guns<br>140 light tanks<br>60 aircraft

|casualties1=6,000 dead or wounded

|casualties2=2,500 dead<br>4,000 wounded<br>300 captured<br>

|}}

The station is named for the nearby [[Washington Navy Yard]]. The industrial neighborhood is a focus for redevelopment; the Arthur Capper and Carrollsburg Dwellings, nearby [[public housing]] projects, are scheduled for demolition. The Southeast Federal Center, a U.S. government office complex built on the former Navy Yard Annex, opened in [[2000]]; the station serves many commuters to the new headquarters of the [[United States Department of Transportation]] and other agencies. The main tourist attraction is the [[Navy Museum]], on the grounds of the Navy Yard.

The '''Guadalajara Offensive''' ([[8 March]] &ndash; [[23 March]] [[1937]]) was an engagement in the [[Spanish Civil War]]. It was fought between the [[Spanish Popular Army]] and the Italian ''[[Corpo Truppe Volontarie]]'', supported by other Nationalist units.

Plans for a [[Washington Nationals#The_Ballpark_Controversy|new baseball stadium]] for the [[Washington Nationals]] also call for expansion of the station to serve game-day crowds.

The battle opened with an Italian offensive on [[March 8]], which was halted by [[March 11]]. Between [[March 12]] and [[March 14]], Italian attacks were joined by Spanish Nationalist units. A successful Republican counteroffensive was prepared on [[March 15]] and carried out from

[[March 18]] to [[March 23]].

==History==

==Preceding activities==

A station serving the Navy Yard area existed in original plans for Metro; however, the routing of the Green Line below proved controversial. In [[1976]] the original routing was rejected as too costly and disruptive. A new study proposed a more westerly path which would move the Anacostia station west, replace the Good Hope Road station with one at [[Congress Heights (Washington Metro)|Congress Heights]], and terminate at Brinkley instead of [[Branch Ave (Washington Metro)|Branch Ave]]. In December [[1977]] public hearings this route was criticized as disserving poorer landowners in the area, but WMATA approved the western route in [[1980]], scheduled to open in [[1986]]. Supporters of the Branch Avenue route then took the case to the [[U.S. District Court]].

After the collapse of the third offensive on [[Madrid]], [[Francisco Franco]] decided to continue with the fourth offensive, to close the pincer operation launched against the capital. The Nationalist forces, although victorious at [[Jarama]] River, were exhausted and could not create the necessary momentum to carry the operation through. However, the Italians were optimistic after the capture of [[Málaga]], and he was sure that the Italian forces could get an easy victory, because the Republican army had sustained heavy losses during the battle of [[Jarama]] River. [[Benito Mussolini]] approved of the operation and committed the Italian units to it.

The court ruled in February [[1981]] that the 1977 hearings were invalid, as insufficient public notice had been given, and issued an injunction halting construction below the [[Waterfront-SEU (Washington Metro)|Waterfront station]]. New hearings were held in June [[1982]], but the court again ruled against WMATA in October [[1983]]. A third set of hearings in July [[1984]] finally selected the present route, allowing constructon to commence.[http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Metro_Branch_Ave_Opening.html]

The Italian commander, General Roatta, planned that his forces would surround the defences of Madrid from the north-west. After joining the Spanish Nationalist corps "Madrid" on Jarama River, they would begin the assault on Madrid. The Italian forces would execute the main attack. The Spanish division "Soria" was present to secure the operation, but played no part in the first five days of fighting. The main attack began in the 25 km-wide pass at [[Guadalajara, Spain|Guadalajara]]-[[Alcalá de Henares]]. This region was well suited for an advance, as there were five roads of high quality running through it. Three other roads in the area led to Guadalajara, allowing for the possibility of capturing this town as well. The Nationalist forces had 35,000 soldiers, 222 cannon, 108 [[Fiat ansaldo]] [[CV-33]] ([[tankette]]s) light tanks, 32 [[armoured car]]s, 3,685 cars and 60 [[Fiat CR.32]] fighter planes.

Navy Yard is the last station prior to crossing the [[Anacostia River]]; the tunnel below the Anacostia was the first drilled with a [[tunnel boring machine]] in the United States. Service to the station finally began on [[December 28]], [[1991]] with the extension of the Green Line to [[Anacostia (Washington Metro)|Anacostia]].

The Republican presence in the Guadalajara region consisted only of the 12th Division of the [[Spanish Popular Army]] under Colonel Lacalle. He had under his command 10,000 soldiers with only 5,900 rifles, 85 machineguns, and 15 cannon. One company of [[T-26]] light tanks were also sent to the area. No military engineering works had been effected in the Guadalajara region, because it was regarded as peaceful part of the front. The Republican Army staff was sure that the next Fascist offensive would come from the south.

==References==

==Italian offensive==

* RoadstotheFuture.com: "[http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Metro_Branch_Ave_Opening.html Metrorail Branch Avenue Route Completion]"

===March 8===

After 30 minutes' artillery fire and air raids on the Republican positions, the Italians began advancing upon the 50th Republican brigade. Led by tankettes, they broke through the Republican line. Their assault then slowed down, mainly because fog and sleet had reduced visibility down to 100 metres (110 yards) in places. The Italians captured between 10 and 12 km of terrain, including the towns of Mirabueno, Alaminos and Castejon. Falling back, the Republican commander requested infantry reinforcements and the company of tanks.

===March 9===

The Italians continued their assault on Republican positions. The main attack was carried out with tanks, but was again bogged down by poor performance and low visibility. The Republican 50th Brigade escaped without a fight. At about noon, the Italian advance was suddenly turned back by battallions of the XI [[International Brigade]] (battalions involved were "E. Andre", "E.Thalman" and "Commune Paris" &ndash; with soldiers mainly from [[Germany]], [[France]], and the Balkan countries). The Italians had taken another 15 to 18 km of terrain and the towns of Almandrones, Cogollar, Macegoso. In the evening, the first formations of Italian troops reached the suburb of Brihuega, where they settled down to await a widened breach in the Republican lines. This break in momentum, though incompatible with the ''[[blitzkrieg]]'' tactics they were nominally following, was under the circumstances necessary to allow the soldiers to rest.

The Republican forces on this day consisted of the XI International Brigade, two artillery batteries and two companies of infantry from the 49th Brigade, 12th Division. They had 1,850 soldiers with 1,600 rifles, 34 machine rifles, 6 cannons, and 5 tanks. By the end of the day, more reinforcements started to arrive as Colonel [[Enrique Jurado]] was ordered to form IV Corps with Líster's 11 Division in the centre at the [[Madrid]]&ndash;[[Saragossa]] road at [[Torija]], 12 Division on the left flank and 14 Division on the right.

===March 10===

The Republican forces received new reinforcements: XII international brigade (two battalions; [[Jarosław Dabrowski Battalion]] and [[Giuseppe Garibaldi Battalion]]), three batteries of artillery, and an understrength battalion of tanks. The Republican forces now had 4,350 soldiers, 8 mortars, 16 cannon and 26 light tanks.

In the morning Italian forces launched heavy artillery and air bombardments and began the assault on the XI International Brigade without success. At that point they had 26,000 soldiers, 900 machine guns, 130 tanks and a large number of cannon committed to battle. The Nationalists captured the towns Miralrio and [[Brihuega]]. The latter town was taken almost unopposed.

In the afternoon, they continued to launch attacks on XI and XII International Brigades' positions, still without success. At [[Torija]], they met the Italian Garibaldi Battalion. During the skirmish the Italian communists took the opportunity to encourage the Fascist soldiers to join the Republicans. The attacks were halted towards evening, and the Italian Nationalist units built defensive positions.

At the end of the day, Lacalle resigned his command, officially for health reasons, but probably because of his resentment over being passed over by Jurado. Command over 12th Division was given to the Italian communist [[Nino Nanetti]].

===March 11===

The Italians began a successful advance on the positions of XI and XII International Brigades, who were forced to retreat down the main road.

The Italian vanguard was stopped some 3 km before the town of [[Torija]].

The Spanish Nationalist division "Soria" captured the towns of Hita and Torre del Burgo.

==Republican counterattacks==

===March 12===

The Republican forces under Líster's command redeployed in the morning and launched a counterattack at noon. Close to 100 Chato and Rata fighter planes and two squadrons of Katiuska bombers had been made available at [[Albacete]]. The Nationalist Legionary Air Force Fiats were grounded on water-logged airports; the Republicans did not have this problem as the [[Albacete]] airfield had a concrete strip. After an air bombardment of the Italian positions, the Republican infantry supported by [[T-26]] and [[BT-5]] light tanks attacked the Italian lines. Several Italian tankettes were lost when General Roatta attempted to change the position of his motorized units in the muddy terrain; many got stuck and were easy target for strafing fighters. The advance reached Triquejera. An Italian counterattack did not regain lost terrain.

===March 13===

The Republican counterattack on Triqujera and Casa del Cabo, Palacio de Ibarra was launched with some success. The plan was to concentrate 11th Division under Líster and all armoured units on the [[Saragossa]] road, while 14th Division under Mera crossed the [[River Tajuña]] to attack [[Brihuega]]. The Italians were warned that this might happened, but ignored advice from the Spanish chief of operations, Colonel Barroso. Mera nearly failed to cross the river, but local [[Confederación Nacional del Trabajo|CNT]] members advised him where to place a pontoon bridge.

===March 14&ndash;17===

On [[March 14]], most Republican infantry formations rested while their airforces executed successful attacks. The International Brigade captured the ''Palacio de Ibera''. In the subsequent days the Republicans redeployed and concentrated their forces.

The Republican forces now consisted of some 20,000 soldiers, 17 mortars, 28 cannon, 60 light tanks and 70 planes.

The Italian and Spanish Nationalist forces consisted of some 45,000 soldiers, 70 mortars, 200 cannon, 80 light tanks and 50 planes.

===March 18===

At dawn, Mera led 14th Division across the pontoon bridge over the [[River Tajuña]]. They had cover from heavy sleet, but the weather also delayed the assault. After midday, the weather had improved enough to allow the Republican air force to operate. At around 13:30, [[Enrique Jurado|Jurado]] gave the order to attack. Líster was slowed down by the Italian Littorio Division, arguably the best of the Italian units. 14th Division nearly managed to surround [[Brihuega]], and the Italians retreated in panic. Remaining Italian soldiers were cleared out by the XI International Brigade. An Italian counterattack on Republican positions failed. The Littorio Division saved the Italians from a complete disaster when they conducted a well-organized retreat.

===March 19&ndash;23===

The Republican forces recaptured the cities of Gajanejos and Villaviciosa de Tajuna. Their counter-offensive was ultimately halted on the Valdearenos &ndash; Ledanca &ndash; Hontanares line, because [[Francisco Franco|Franco]] had sent reserve formations to settle the line of defence between Ledanca and Hontares.

==Significance==

The Guadalajara Offensive was the last major Republican victory and did much to lift morale; the ''[[New York Times]]'' boasted that Guadalajara "was to [[Fascism]] what the defeat at [[Battle of Bailén|Bailén]] had been to [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]]." The Italians lost some 6,000 men (Spanish Nationalist losses were marginal) and a considerable number of light tanks and planes. In addition, the Republican army captured sizeable quantities of badly needed materiel and equipment, including 35 artillery pieces, 85 [[machine gun]]s, and 67 vehicles.

Strategically, the Republican victory prevented the encirclement of [[Madrid]], ending Franco's hopes of crushing the Republic with a decisive strike at its capital. Franco decided to adopt a new strategy of chipping away at the Republican territories, starting in the north.

The battle was a bitter loss of prestige for Italian [[dictator]] [[Benito Mussolini]], who had personally orchestrated the deployment of the Italian army at Guadalajara in order to benefit from the glory of a successful offensive. The generally poor performance of Italian arms reached its climax at Guadalajara. In response, Franco ordered the dismantlement of the Italian army in Spain, seeking to disperse them among Spanish Nationalist units.

The tactical lessons of the battle were ambiguous and widely misinterpreted. The failure of the Italian offensive was thought to demonstrate the vulnerability of massed armoured advances in unfavourable conditions and against a coherent infantry defence. The [[France|French]] [[General Staff]], in harmony with existing beliefs in the [[French Army]], concluded that mechanized troops were not the decisive element of [[modern warfare]] and continued to shape their [[military doctrine]] accordingly. The [[Germany|Germans]] escaped this conclusion by dismissing the Guadalajara failure as the product of Italian incompetence.

In truth, both views had some merit: armoured forces are largely ineffective in adverse weather and without proper air support (Italian strategists failed to consider these variables). But the German assessment correctly noted the deficiencies in Italian soldiery that contributed to their rout at Guadalajara. In particular, they had lacked the fighting quality and determination necessary to maintain the unfaltering advances characteristic of later German [[blitzkrieg]] tactics. Moreover, the Italians possessed neither the technology nor the training of a truly motorized force.

==External links==

* WMATA: [http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/Stations/station.cfm?station=84 Navy Yard Station]

*http://www.Lacucaracha.info

* Stationmasters.com: [http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/NAVYYARD/navyyard.html Navy Yard Station]

*[http://usuarios.lycos.es/brihuega1937/ Site about the Guadalajara Offensive (Spanish)]

* world.nycsubway.org: [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/washdc/green/wmata-green-navy.html Navy Yard Station]

* The Schumin Web Transit Center: [http://transit.schuminweb.com/rail/washington/stations/green/navy-yard.asp Navy Yard Station]

[[Category:1937]]

[[Category:Battles of the Spanish Civil War|Guadalajara 1937]]

[[Category:Battles of Italy|Guadalajara 1937]]

[[Category:Washington Metro stations]]

[[es:Batalla de Guadalajara]]

[[fr:Bataille de Guadalajara]]