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Franco's Pirates: Naval Aspects of the Spanish Civil War 1936–39

Description:

"Franco’s Pirates is an essential read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War, naval operations between the World Wars, and the concept of blockade." ― The NYMAS Review

The Spanish Civil War was won and lost upon the high seas. It was won because the Nationalists had an uninterrupted flow of men and materials while Republican sea lanes were attacked by Fascist warships, submarines, and aircraft—the pirates of the title. These attacks also involved dozens of foreign merchantmen and warships, including American, as well as hundreds of men, women, and boys. The worst affected was the British merchant marine, which dominated Spanish trade—some owners used rust buckets to maximise profits in a trade, which resulted in the loss of 66 British lives.

The naval element of the Spanish Civil War began with a rebellion followed by a mutiny and a massacre. Both the German and Italian navies became involved in the naval war, attacking Spanish ships and then British warships and merchantmen. A blockade in the north led to confrontations between the Royal Navy and Nationalist Navy, the mining of a British liner and tales of daring among determined British master mariners. Later in the war there were attacks by Italian surface warships, submarines, and aircraft against foreign shipping in the Mediterranean and Aegean leading to the British and French threatening pirate submarines.

This is a story of exploitation, heroism, chauvinism, piracy, international inaction, and espionage which has never been told. It includes details of such things as the first aerial campaign against shipping and the first operational use of sonar against a submarine.

Table of Contents

1. Background to August 1936
2. The War Widens, September 1936–July 1937
3. The Northern Blockade, September 1936–October 1937
4. They Called it Piracy, August 1937–March 1938
5. The Last Acts, April 1938–April 1939
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Franco’s Pirates is an essential read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War, naval operations between the World Wars, and the concept of blockade."
The NYMAS Review

“This is a book that tells a fascinating story with clarity and pace, and so would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any military history enthusiast, whether they are naval aficionados or primarily landbound ones.”
Journal of Military History

"...[Hooton] painstakingly reconstructs the links, participation with, and continuity of between Spain’s Nationalist warships and the German and Italian Fascist submarines and aircraft."
ARGunners.com

"This is one of the most detailed histories that I have ever read. The amount of information in it is phenomenal and reflects years of careful research."
PowerShips

“This is a meticulously researched exploration of 'what it says on the cover'. This is a nicely-produced and scholarly work which presents a chronological overview of a war which involved a number of personalities who played a significant part in WW2.”
MAFVA

"The noted military historian E. R. Hooton, who has already published the best general one-volume account of the war in any language, here turns his attention to the war at sea. His is a thoroughly researched, objective and scrupulously detailed account of the naval struggle, dealing with all major aspects, as in his previous study giving the reader the best one-volume history available in any language."
Stanley G. Payne, Hilldale-Jaume Vicens Vives Professor of History Emeritus, University of Wisconsin

About the Author

E. R. Hooton is a retired defense journalist and a member of the British Commission for Military History. He has written numerous articles and books.

Review:

4.0 out of 5 stars DENSE BUT EXCELLENT ON WHAT IT COVERS

j.g. · October 3, 2024

The Spanish Civil War was truly a run-up to World War II. This book is primarily a study of the various navies involved in the Civil War as supporters of the Republicans and Nationalists focusing on overseas supplying of the war and mercantile activities in general. The book fills, in English, a neglected aspect of the Spanish Civil War. In this excellently researched book, the author, as a GOOD historian should, works in the languages of those involved. A former editor with JANE'S YEARBOOK, this also shows as the editing is quite good.Some interesting new material is presented in English to the reader. Early on in the war merchant ships secretly transformed their appearance with plywood and paint to help them break the blockade - something common in sanctioned tankers today (p45-47). He has a good discussion on the use of mines in the war, touching on the types, numbers and how placed as well as their effectiveness.Much of the book covers incidents on the seas. One such is when the internationally unrecognized Basque navy's Bizkaya (which is not described), seized the German ship Palos (p82). Another is the sinking of a former infamous prison ship, the Cantabria, off the English coast in the North Sea by a Nationalist auxiliary cruiser (p169). The book is filled with such actions and descriptions.Drawing on a rich bed of Italian writing, the author notes the old ex-German light cruiser Taranto was sought by Franco even after it had a rebuild that left its speed a possible 21 knots on a good day (during the transformation of her engine room, some of her boilers were removed and not replaced). At one point (p168) the Italian commander was so frustrated with his Spanish allies that he proposed an Italian amphibious operation near Valencia with two Italian divisions! How that could have been accomplished is a question that cannot be answered as Italy was totally unprepared for amphibious operations then or in World War II.An interesting contemporary comparison is to see how the Spanish Civil War and foreign powers supplied weapons and logistics to both sides in that Civil War and the current war in Ukraine. Clearly the West, and especially the Biden Administration, could have learned some lessons from a close study of the Spanish Civil War. One reason the Nationalists won the war was due to France, and especially Great Britain, acting with less resolve than they should have.Criticisms? A very few. Could have used tactical maps but the map section covers the operational aspects of the war. I have never seen the Dutch warship Hertsog (sic) Hendrik (p19) so spelled. Sota is transformed into Sato (p97) but really minor points. It lacks an appendix on the various warships and what they were like would have been helpful, especially for the small impressed warships like the Galerna. The Italian light cruiser Quarto is introduced (p167), disappears, and there is little context for it.The bibliography and index are excellent and there is a nicely reproduced photograph section. He did his homework in writing this. It is also aimed at the specialist. The reader MUST be familiar with the Spanish Civil War, and knowledge of the war at sea is important.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent item arrived right on schedule!

G.E.N. · November 25, 2024

Excellent item arrived right on schedule!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent

F.W. · November 27, 2024

Very nice

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Franco's Pirates: Naval Aspects of the Spanish Civil War 1936–39

Product ID: U1636242758
Condition: New

4.2

AED14013

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Hardcover
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

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Imported From: United States

At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

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Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Visit the Casemate Store

Franco's Pirates: Naval Aspects of the Spanish Civil War 1936–39

Product ID: U1636242758
Condition: New

4.2

Type: Hardcover

AED14013

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

Free delivery on orders over AED 200

Return and refund policies

Imported From: United States

At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.

Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

"Franco’s Pirates is an essential read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War, naval operations between the World Wars, and the concept of blockade." ― The NYMAS Review

The Spanish Civil War was won and lost upon the high seas. It was won because the Nationalists had an uninterrupted flow of men and materials while Republican sea lanes were attacked by Fascist warships, submarines, and aircraft—the pirates of the title. These attacks also involved dozens of foreign merchantmen and warships, including American, as well as hundreds of men, women, and boys. The worst affected was the British merchant marine, which dominated Spanish trade—some owners used rust buckets to maximise profits in a trade, which resulted in the loss of 66 British lives.

The naval element of the Spanish Civil War began with a rebellion followed by a mutiny and a massacre. Both the German and Italian navies became involved in the naval war, attacking Spanish ships and then British warships and merchantmen. A blockade in the north led to confrontations between the Royal Navy and Nationalist Navy, the mining of a British liner and tales of daring among determined British master mariners. Later in the war there were attacks by Italian surface warships, submarines, and aircraft against foreign shipping in the Mediterranean and Aegean leading to the British and French threatening pirate submarines.

This is a story of exploitation, heroism, chauvinism, piracy, international inaction, and espionage which has never been told. It includes details of such things as the first aerial campaign against shipping and the first operational use of sonar against a submarine.

Table of Contents

1. Background to August 1936
2. The War Widens, September 1936–July 1937
3. The Northern Blockade, September 1936–October 1937
4. They Called it Piracy, August 1937–March 1938
5. The Last Acts, April 1938–April 1939
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Franco’s Pirates is an essential read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War, naval operations between the World Wars, and the concept of blockade."
The NYMAS Review

“This is a book that tells a fascinating story with clarity and pace, and so would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any military history enthusiast, whether they are naval aficionados or primarily landbound ones.”
Journal of Military History

"...[Hooton] painstakingly reconstructs the links, participation with, and continuity of between Spain’s Nationalist warships and the German and Italian Fascist submarines and aircraft."
ARGunners.com

"This is one of the most detailed histories that I have ever read. The amount of information in it is phenomenal and reflects years of careful research."
PowerShips

“This is a meticulously researched exploration of 'what it says on the cover'. This is a nicely-produced and scholarly work which presents a chronological overview of a war which involved a number of personalities who played a significant part in WW2.”
MAFVA

"The noted military historian E. R. Hooton, who has already published the best general one-volume account of the war in any language, here turns his attention to the war at sea. His is a thoroughly researched, objective and scrupulously detailed account of the naval struggle, dealing with all major aspects, as in his previous study giving the reader the best one-volume history available in any language."
Stanley G. Payne, Hilldale-Jaume Vicens Vives Professor of History Emeritus, University of Wisconsin

About the Author

E. R. Hooton is a retired defense journalist and a member of the British Commission for Military History. He has written numerous articles and books.

Review:

4.0 out of 5 stars DENSE BUT EXCELLENT ON WHAT IT COVERS

j.g. · October 3, 2024

The Spanish Civil War was truly a run-up to World War II. This book is primarily a study of the various navies involved in the Civil War as supporters of the Republicans and Nationalists focusing on overseas supplying of the war and mercantile activities in general. The book fills, in English, a neglected aspect of the Spanish Civil War. In this excellently researched book, the author, as a GOOD historian should, works in the languages of those involved. A former editor with JANE'S YEARBOOK, this also shows as the editing is quite good.Some interesting new material is presented in English to the reader. Early on in the war merchant ships secretly transformed their appearance with plywood and paint to help them break the blockade - something common in sanctioned tankers today (p45-47). He has a good discussion on the use of mines in the war, touching on the types, numbers and how placed as well as their effectiveness.Much of the book covers incidents on the seas. One such is when the internationally unrecognized Basque navy's Bizkaya (which is not described), seized the German ship Palos (p82). Another is the sinking of a former infamous prison ship, the Cantabria, off the English coast in the North Sea by a Nationalist auxiliary cruiser (p169). The book is filled with such actions and descriptions.Drawing on a rich bed of Italian writing, the author notes the old ex-German light cruiser Taranto was sought by Franco even after it had a rebuild that left its speed a possible 21 knots on a good day (during the transformation of her engine room, some of her boilers were removed and not replaced). At one point (p168) the Italian commander was so frustrated with his Spanish allies that he proposed an Italian amphibious operation near Valencia with two Italian divisions! How that could have been accomplished is a question that cannot be answered as Italy was totally unprepared for amphibious operations then or in World War II.An interesting contemporary comparison is to see how the Spanish Civil War and foreign powers supplied weapons and logistics to both sides in that Civil War and the current war in Ukraine. Clearly the West, and especially the Biden Administration, could have learned some lessons from a close study of the Spanish Civil War. One reason the Nationalists won the war was due to France, and especially Great Britain, acting with less resolve than they should have.Criticisms? A very few. Could have used tactical maps but the map section covers the operational aspects of the war. I have never seen the Dutch warship Hertsog (sic) Hendrik (p19) so spelled. Sota is transformed into Sato (p97) but really minor points. It lacks an appendix on the various warships and what they were like would have been helpful, especially for the small impressed warships like the Galerna. The Italian light cruiser Quarto is introduced (p167), disappears, and there is little context for it.The bibliography and index are excellent and there is a nicely reproduced photograph section. He did his homework in writing this. It is also aimed at the specialist. The reader MUST be familiar with the Spanish Civil War, and knowledge of the war at sea is important.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent item arrived right on schedule!

G.E.N. · November 25, 2024

Excellent item arrived right on schedule!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent

F.W. · November 27, 2024

Very nice

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More from this brand

Similar items from “Germany”

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Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1636242758