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Description:
This recording relates to the participation of Fascist Italy and its troops in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Opposing the Republicans (Spanish left-wing and international) to the nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco, the Spanish Civil War soon involved foreign combatants, including, on the nationalist side, German and Italian army corps (Corpo Truppe Volontarie). Italy sought to gain influence in the Mediterranean basin and demonstrate the power of its army. However, it notably suffered a crushing defeat at Guadalajara (March 1937). The Spanish Civil War was also the backdrop to an alliance between the "Tre Condottieri" (Franco, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini), who thus formed a European fascist triangle. The new affinity between Italy and Spain is underlined (and disseminated) by the recording of Spanish national and military anthems by Italian record companies.