July 1937
Brunete was the Republic's most ambitious offensive of the war, intended to encircle Nationalist forces west of Madrid and relieve the besieged Basque country. Republican forces including the best International Brigade units achieved initial surprise and captured ground — but the Nationalist response was overwhelming. German and Italian aircraft flew hundreds of sorties daily. The Republic's elite units were bled white. The offensive, conceived as a turning point, became another nail in the Republic's coffin.
Commanders