The 77th Division ( es, 77ª División)Carlos Engel, ''Historia de las Brigadas Mixtas del E. P. de la República'', 1999 was a

division Division or divider may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication *Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting ...

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 ...

in 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 ...

. It would be the last division of the loyalist forces to be formed. The 77th Division was a short-lived unit that was established in December 1938, shortly before the chaotic withdrawal and rush to the border that followed the

Francoist Francoist Spain ( es, España franquista), or the Francoist dictatorship (), was the period of Spanish history between 1939 and 1975, when Francisco Franco ruled Spain after the Spanish Civil War with the title . After his death in 1975, Spani ...

Catalonia Offensive The Catalonia Offensive ( ca, Ofensiva de Catalunya, es, Ofensiva de Cataluña) was part of the Spanish Civil War. The Nationalist Army started the offensive on 23 December 1938 and rapidly conquered Republican-held Catalonia with Barcelona ( ...

. The division was also not fully formed when it first saw action, for it included only the 245th Mixed Brigade.

History

Incomplete formation of the unit

The 77th Division was established on 31 December 1938 in

Calella Calella is a municipality in the Maresme region of Spain, located 50 km from Barcelona, 50 km from Girona and 6 km from the Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park. It is known as the tourist capital of the Costa del Maresme and is characterized by being ...

with the also recently formed 245th Mixed Brigade. It was placed under the XXIV Army Corps ''(XVIV Cuerpo de Ejército)'' of the Group of Eastern Region Armies ''(GERO)''.Carlos Engel (1999), ''Historia de las Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular de la República'', p. 228 The command of the unit was entrusted to Infantry Commander Rafael Durán Martínez, who also would be the short-lived division's only leader. In the last week of January 1939 the 77th Division, together with the 242nd Mixed Brigade —which had not been ascribed to any division—,SBHAC - Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular, 242ª Brigada Mixta
/ref> tried to establish a planned

defensive line In gridiron football, a lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line. A numbe ...

along the course of the Tordera River in order to halt the massive rebel offensive.Carlos Engel (1999), ''Historia de las Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular de la República'', p. 227

Line of Resistance Fiasco

The units took position along the course of the Tordera River east of the

Montseny Massif Montseny () is a mountain range west of the coastal hills north of Barcelona. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. Features The Montseny massif is located within a triangle formed by the AP-7, C-17 and C-25 roads. It has the highest ...

on 27 January. But the effort proved futile and in practice it became impossible for the Republican forces to put up any meaningful resistance. The young, inexperienced and ill-equipped 242rd Mixed Brigade —posted at the lower course of the river— was unfit for the battle. At the onset of the fight it quickly fell into disarray and was overrun. In the face of the powerful and steady enemy advance the 77th Division abandoned the defensive line and withdrew to the town of

Vic Vic (; es, Vic or Pancracio Celdrán (2004). Diccionario de topónimos españoles y sus gentilicios (5ª edición). Madrid: Espasa Calpe. p. 843. ISBN 978-84-670-3054-9. «Vic o Vich (viquense, vigitano, vigatán, ausense, ausetano, ausonense): ...

, which it lost on 1 February. Meanwhile, practically all other Republican Army units were demoralized and were hastily rushing to the north towards the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

border. In the midst of the chaotic retreat, the 77th Division was to all effects disbanded and data about its final whereabouts and fate as a military unit are unknown.

Commanders

*Commanders in Chief ** Rafael Durán Martínez

References

External links

SBHAC - El Ejército Popular

Organización militar republicana - 1936 - La Guerra Civil

{{Divisions of the Spanish Republic Military units and formations established in 1938 Military units and formations disestablished in 1939 Divisions of Spain Military units and formations of the Spanish Civil War Military history of Spain Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic