The 59th Division - originally called the 1st Asturian Division - was one of the
divisions of the
Spanish Republican Army
The Spanish Republican Army ( es, Ejército de la República Española) was the main branch of the Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic between 1931 and 1939.
It became known as People's Army of the Republic (''Ejército Popular de la Repú ...
that were organized during the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, lin ...
on the basis of the
Mixed Brigades.
History
The division was originally created in
February 1937
The following events occurred in February 1937:
February 1, 1937 (Monday)
*George VI released the New Year Honours list, one month late due to the Edward VIII abdication crisis, abdication crisis. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabe ...
, as the 1st Asturian Division. It was incorporated into the III Asturian Army Corps. On
August 6
Events Pre-1600
*1284 – The Republic of Pisa is defeated in the Battle of Meloria by the Republic of Genoa, thus losing its naval dominance in the Mediterranean.
* 1538 – Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada ...
, the unit was restructured into the
189th,
190th and
191st mixed brigades and renamed the "59th Division". It became attached to the
XVII Army Corps.
It did not intervene in the
Battle of Santander, so it was practically intact at the beginning of the
Asturias Offensive
The Asturias Offensive ( es, Ofensiva de Asturias) was an offensive in Asturias during the Spanish Civil War which lasted from 1 September to 21 October 1937. 45,000 men of the Spanish Republican Army met 90,000 men of the Nationalist forces.
...
. By then the 59th Division covered the front that ran from the sea to the mountains, in the
Oviedo
Oviedo (; ast, Uviéu ) is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain and the administrative and commercial centre of the region. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city. Oviedo is located ap ...
sector. During the Asturias campaign it did not have a relevant role, remaining in its positions without intervening in relevant military operations. At the end of
October 1937 it managed to retire to
Gijón
Gijón () or () is a city and municipality in north-western Spain. It is the largest city and municipality by population in the autonomous community of Asturias. It is located on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea in the Bay of Biscay, in the cent ...
, where it dissolved itself.
Command
*
Carlos Abad López (from February 1937);
* Eduardo Carón Alcázar (from March 1937);
*
Víctor Álvarez González (from May 1937);
* Ramón Garshaball López (from August 1937);
References
Bibliography
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{{Divisions of the Spanish Republic, state=expanded
Military units and formations established in 1937
Military units and formations disestablished in 1937
Divisions of Spain
Military units and formations of the Spanish Civil War
Military history of Spain
Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic