The
Alcazar in Toledo has suffered many sieges over the centuries
but one of great importance was that of 1936. The Republicans
were fighting to gain control of Conservative, Catholic Toledo.
Franco's rebel troops were controlled by Col. Jose Moscardo
whose troops were inside the Alcazar, along with women and
children. The Alcazar withstood 70 days of heavy bombardment.
On July 23rd a Republican officer reached Moscardo by telephone
within the Alcazar and the Colonel was informed that Republican
forces had kidnapped his 16 year old son, Luis and unless
he surrended immediately, Luis would be executed.
To
prove that they had his son, he was put to the phone to speak
to his father. 'Surrender or they will shoot me' he said.
His father replied 'then commend your soul to God, shout 'Viva
Espana' and die like a hero.' The Republicans then shot Luis
in the head. The fortress held out until it was relieved by
Franco's forces in September 1936.
In
the Alcazar today, the telephone still remains on display.
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