guerilla warfare common in the SCW?

[Felix C]

Finished reading a bit on the Peninsular War and wondering if guerilla warfare or banditry was common in the SCW. If so was it very much an amateur enterprise or well organized as depicted in Hemingway's novel regarding a behind the lines strike to destroy a bridge in For Whom the Bells Toll?

Also, were the front lines porous once the front had stablized in late 1936 or was it still possible to cross across the lines undetected? (Hemingway again here)

[Ironmachine]

The short answer is no, guerrilla warfare was not common in the SCW. However, it existed, though not resembling the scale of the Peninsular War. It was much more common in the Republican side, which even created a guerrilla army corps, the XIV Cuerpo de Ejército Guerrillero, organized in divisions, though these names were purely fictional because their strenght was in the (few) hundred men. In general, despite some interesting actions, guerrilla warfare had no significance in the war.
And yes, it was possible to cross the front lines during all the war, if the group was small enough, of course.

[Ironmachine]

If you can read Spanish, here is a good introduction to guerrilla warfare in the Republican side:
http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/CHCO/a ... pWz5bLoeKw

Regards.

[Ironmachine]

Also in Spanish, information about some guerrillas of the rebel side:
http://www.lavoz.circulocarlista.com/bl ... elaltotajo