José Solchaga [SEP] conflict
José Solchaga
José Solchaga Zala (1881, Aberin, Navarre - 1953) was a Spanish general who fought for the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.
A Navarrese professional officer of the Spanish Army, in 1936 he joined the "coup" against the Republican government. He led the Navarrese troops in the campaign against Guipuzcoa. On 5 August 1936 his troops occupied Irún, cutting off the Republican held zone in the North from the French Frontier and San Sebastían on 13 September. Later, he was promoted to General
Llanes and west, along Cares river, from Panes towards Cabrales.
On both fronts, the rugged terrain and stiff Republican resistance halted the advance. It was then clear that the mountains of the Sierra de Cuera were vital to the defence of Asturias, and the key to the Sierra de Cuera was the pass of El Mazuco.
The combatants.
The Nationalist forces comprised four Navarrese Brigades (33,000 men), under the command of General José Solchaga Zala (Solchaga) in Llanes, with 15 artillery batteries and