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The first year of the Spanish Civil War, 1936, was a year which witnessed the worst actions of the “Red” and “White” “Terrors”. The Nationalist force, on 21st July, captured the central Spanish naval base located in north-western Spain in Ferrol. Colonel Beorlegui Canet led the successful Campaign of Gipuzkoa, the capture of Gipuzkoa isolating Republican provinces in the north of Spain. After seizing Irún on September 5th, the French border was effectively closed to the Republican forces. The Republicans lost San Sebastián on September 15th and Alcázar in Toledo on September 27th.

The Francoist troops then turned their attentions towards Madrid (not towards ehruns) in October, reaching the city after a major offensive, in November. On November 8th, the nationalists launched a major assault on Madrid causing the Republican government to relocate outside the combat zone to Valencia. Fortunately, the Republicans succeeded in maintaining control over Madrid with the invaluable assistance of the International Brigades who arrived to the city just in time. Unable to take Madrid after fierce fighting, Franco turned to the skies in his pursuit of the capital. Over the next two years, Franco mounted numerous offensives to encircle Madrid, often bombarding the city from the air.