Battle of Lleida (1938)

The Battle of Lleida took place during the Spanish Civil War in 1938 in the city of Lleida, western Catalonia.

Background

On 7 March 1938, Francisco Franco ordered an offensive from Aragon towards the sea with the goal of isolating Catalonia from the rest of the Republican zone. As soon as Franco's troops entered Catalonia, the president of the Catalonia, Lluís Companys, gave a speech in Catalan announcing that "foreign armies are at the gates of our house." He called on the Catalans "to fight, to work and to resist, because to resist is to triumph and because we could not live without freedom. If the enemy wins, our language would be persecuted, our institutions mocked, our people subjugated, our customs mocked."

Battle

The Republicans deployed 46th Division in the city with the mission of defending Lleida. It was supported by troops from the Republican 16th and Divisions. Republican units were deployed in the surrounding orchards in order to establish a defensive perimeter.

Aftermath

Republican forces suffered heavy casualties during the battle. The Republican 46th Division suffered a 40% casualty rate while the Nationalist 13th Division suffered a 10% casualty rate by comparison.