Bombing of Alicante

The Bombing of Alicante, known locally as Bombardeo del mercado central de Alicante, is a poignant chapter in the history of this beautiful Spanish city. This tragic event, which took place on May 25, 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, is remembered for its devastating impact on the civilian population and its significant historical repercussions.

The Historical Context

The Bombing of Alicante occurred during a period of intense conflict in Spain. The Spanish Civil War, which raged from 1936 to 1939, saw the country divided between the Republicans and the Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco. Alicante, a city on the Mediterranean coast, found itself in the crosshairs of this brutal conflict. On that fateful day in May 1938, the city was subjected to a harrowing aerial bombardment by Italian fascist forces allied with Franco's Nationalists.

The Attack

It was a Wednesday morning, around 11:18 AM, when between seven and nine Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers took off from Mallorca and headed towards Alicante. The city, bustling with daily activities and unaware of the impending doom, was caught off guard. The bombers dropped approximately 90 bombs, including 56 bombs weighing 100 kg, eight weighing 20 kg, and 20 weighing 15 kg. Many of these bombs struck the Central Market, which was crowded with people at that hour.

The devastation was immediate and overwhelming. The bombs caused massive destruction, reducing buildings to rubble and causing numerous casualties. The death toll was staggering, with estimates ranging from 275 to 393 fatalities, including men, women, and children. Additionally, over 1,000 people were injured, many of them severely. The scenes of destruction and human suffering were described as horrific, with many victims decapitated or mutilated by the blasts.

Aftermath and International Reactions

The aftermath of the bombing left Alicante in a state of shock and mourning. The city's infrastructure was heavily damaged, and the streets were filled with debris and the remains of the fallen. The local authorities and residents struggled to cope with the scale of the disaster, and the immediate response involved rescuing survivors and tending to the wounded.

Internationally, the bombing of Alicante garnered significant attention. The Spanish government lodged formal protests with the governments of France and the United Kingdom, highlighting the deliberate targeting of a civilian area. A British commission was dispatched to investigate the attack, arriving in Alicante on August 22, 1938. Their findings confirmed that the bombing was a deliberate assault on a civilian zone, further condemning the actions of the Italian fascist forces.

Memorials and Commemoration

Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, the Bombing of Alicante did not receive the same level of international recognition as other similar events, such as the bombing of Guernica. For many years, the memory of the bombing was overshadowed by fear and repression. However, efforts have been made to ensure that the victims are not forgotten.

In the Plaza del 25 de Mayo, a modest ceramic plaque commemorates the victims of the bombing. Inside the Central Market, visitors can see the air raid siren that failed to sound the alarm on that fateful day, along with a clock frozen at the time of the attack. In 2013, a more substantial memorial was installed at the entrance of the Central Market. This monument, designed by architect Elena Albajar, consists of nine aluminum plates representing the nine bombers, with 90 black dots symbolizing the bombs dropped. These plates also feature 300 holes filled with fiber optic terminals that light up in red at midday, commemorating the lives lost in the bombing.

The Plaza del Mercado was officially renamed Plaza del 25 de Mayo in 2010, following a campaign by the cultural association Alicante Vivo. This renaming ceremony was marked by an emotional event, though not without controversy. The mayor of Alicante, Sonia Castedo, repeatedly referred to the perpetrators of the massacre as fascists during her speech.

Artistic and Cultural Impact

The Bombing of Alicante has also left an indelible mark on the cultural and artistic landscape of the city. Local composers have created musical works to honor the memory of the victims and convey the emotional weight of the tragedy. Notable compositions include the symphonic poem 25 de Mayo by Manuel Más Devesa and the elegy for cello 25 de mayo de 1938, Alicante: de la tragedia a la esperanza by Miguel Brotóns. These works serve as a testament to the enduring impact of the bombing on the collective memory of Alicante's residents.

In conclusion, the Bombing of Alicante stands as a somber reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. As you walk through the streets of this vibrant city, take a moment to reflect on the events of May 25, 1938, and the lives forever changed by the tragedy. The memorials and commemorations scattered throughout Alicante ensure that the memory of those who perished will never be forgotten, serving as a poignant reminder of the city's tumultuous past.