"Self-Sufficiency in Arms": the Spanish Civil war experience in producing weapons

"Self-Sufficiency in Arms": 

the Spanish Civil war experience in producing weapons

Attack on Nationalist position near Madrid, Somosierra, 1936

At first, it seemed to be interesting again about seeing guns made by the Republicans and the Francoists during the Spanish Civil War.

Mostly copies of those brought abroad, those weapons used by warring sides seemed to invoke how these Spaniards stubbornly fighting for Spain during those times, what more of seeing working-class "industrial strength" with all the foundries making effort in producing weapons meant to defend the people against exploiters and occupiers.

And although most history books dealt much with battles, of Guernica and Madrid, yours truly, also a military enthusiast, is humbly introduced how these Spaniards from both Republican and Francoist side made arms during that time of conflict, especially those of their weapons produced.

Spanish Republican officials
studying Labora and Naranjero guns

Prior to the production of domestic-made weaponry before and during the war, Spain used to buy foreign made guns. In case of Francoists were from Germany and Italy, while the Republicans procure guns from the Soviet Union, if not from the West. Others were smuggled in case of guns from Finland or from Estonia.

However, in the production of these weapons, Spaniards tried its best to create "improved" copies of foreign-made guns such as those from Germany or from France, given that there are foundries that produced as ordered by the government, both National and Local alike in case of the Catalans with its Labora.

Here are the sample of the domestic-made weapons used and became well known during the Spanish Civil War:

NARANJERO: The Valencian Schmeisser

Naranjero Sub Machine Gun

At first, the origins of "Naranjero" are still virtually unknown despite being associated its creation from the Valencian workshops located in Alberique, the Sub-Machine Gun received the nickname "Naranjero" in honor of the fruit grown in Valencia, Spain.

MP-28 Schmeisser Sub Machine Gun
(The basis for the Naranjero)

However, the design of Sub-Machine Gun is somewhat identical, or perhaps inspired from the MP-28 II created by German Hugo Schmeisser. The main difference between these two weapons lies in the caliber used, that since the German submachine used the 9mm classic Parabellum (9mm x 19), the "Naranjero" was calibrated to fire cartridges 9mm Largo (9mm x 23).
The Naranjero also had a weight and a size slightly higher than the MP-28, as well as a disposable charger with capacity for up to 36 bullets.

But despite its differences, it was very difficult, even for Republicans officers themselves, to distinguish at a glance a real MP-28 II and a Spanish copy "Naranjero".

LABORA: The Catalan Sub Machine Gun

Labora Sub Machine Gun

As for the Labora, the origin seemed to be coming from the Workshops of the Anarchist-led Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (Workshop no.1 to be specified) as well as Factory no. 15 in Olot in 1938.

And although at first it was simply called as "rifle" or "carbine Fontbernat" in memory of a Catalan militant fallen on 19 July 1936, it was received the name "Labora Fontbernat" and was encouraged by the "War Industries Commission" of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

The Sub Machine Gun has its unique design compared to others during the civil war. However, it had less prominence compared to the Naranjero due to costly production. In any case, it was also very similar to the SI-35 Star, with its wooden stock and barrel with machined rings to dissipate heat.

CORUNA: The Francoist Naranjero

Coruna Sub Machine Gun

Although it was also called as "Naranjero", the Coruna was a Spanish version of the MP-35 Sub Machine Gun being produced in the arms factory in La Coruna.


GOLIAT

Goliat Sub Machine Gun

Known by its nickname "Goliat", the "Star" Foundry produced two models: the SI-35 and RU-35, bearing the first and second initials of its designers.

Both of 9MM long, these guns were used by the Republicans, being mass produced at Eibar such as those of a sewing machine factory being pressed to create Machine Guns.

RU-35

However, some informants stated that Commissariat of War Industries of the Basque government resumed making RU-35 while Eibar focused on sewing machines.

Soon, the design of the gun was also redesigned at Catalonia, one of which eventually became known as "Labora" and "Carabine Fontbernat".


MANRESA: The Catalan Mauser

Manresa Rifle

Twenty units of this particular weapon was manufactured in workshops Manresa, then under the control of the Government,  Before 1937 when the Spanish Republic began nationalizing all war industries.
It was a weapon of circumstances and in the fruit of the lack of clear guidelines in the early stages of the war. It had a magazine with capacity for 20 rounds despite being shot repetition by manual action.


FAO LIGHT MACHINE GUN

FAO Light Machine Gun

Based from the Czechoslovak light machine gun ZB-26/30,  the Oviedo arms factory developed a similar known as the FAO. 

It was used by  the Francoists, and well into the postwar period. It seemed that Franco bought 100 units of ZB-30 and the FAO developed from this model.

OVEIDO-CORUNA 7MM SUB MACHINE GUN

Submachine gun Oviedo-Coruna Model 1925-1938. 7 mm.

Total length 1.14 m. Weight 8,750 Kg. Charger 15 cartridges. In 1938 he reformed the feeding device. The FA OC was an improvement in the FA Hotchkiss II.


MORTARS and AERIAL TORPEDOES

Workers manufacturing Ferrobellum

Workers manufacturing bombs for the Ferrobellum

Besides Sub Machine Guns and Rifles, there were other weapons the Spanish produced during the war. Mortars for example.

They produced numerous mortars such as the Ferrobellum, which was also known as the "Spanish Stokes" although it was far from a British-made weapon that became known for the modern-day military Mortar but of a German-made Granatenwerfer.
What was most striking was the simplicity of its design and the materials with which it is done. This design may seem quite primitive, but fits quite well to the needs required at the time it was manufactured. In addition, because of this simplicity, it does not require a great waste of sophisticated technology to create a "grenade launcher" that can be carried as a backpack.

There were also copying foreign-made mortars such as the 60 mm Stokes Mortar that was observed by General Miaja (as seen in the picture).

Apparently the CNT dealed with the Italian engineer Gino Bibbi for the design and manufacture of a rocket, possibly remote control, or perhaps uses AA gunners. The project was not the prototype. 

On the other hand, it was known that the Catalan Government's Commission of War Industries attended the project of making an "aerial torpedo" presented by the Cape driver Security Service of the Generalitat, Don Josep Belmonte invented Anti-Aircraft Rockets that could reach up to 4000 meters.

Remains of Guernica

Conclusion

It seemed interesting to see about the home front of both Republicans and Francoists during the Spanish Civil War.

Mostly translated from Spanish in a website remembering the conflict, this person would say that the weapons showed how Spaniards does not rely on outside aid, what more of showing its muscle, its industrial strength, all in defending their freedoms on the day occupiers trying to "restore order" that in fact, a reaction to their disdain for democracy and justice.

Again, it may find it strange, but the experience somehow showed an example of how a country has to stand up and flex its own muscle rather than relying on outside aid. True that Republican Spain was supported by Soviet Union and Mexico whilst its Francoist counterpart was backed by Hitlerite Germany and Mussolinist Italy, but then based from how they create Naranjeros, Manresas, and Laboras from their foundries makes it interesting to see how these Spaniards also made their own.

And by the way, here's an earlier article about Spain's own Blindados, also during the Civil War. 

Are they voting for the Country or for a Discounted Coffee?

Are they voting for the country 

Or for a discounted coffee?

(Ramblings on Elections
And how it became commercialised as any other event)

It seems that everyone has assuming to be "patriotic" this Election day.

Be it as serious as their candidates and committed in their programs of action, or merely toying the entire event for chrissakes, these registered voters woke up early if not enduring the morning till afternoon heat, went to their voting precincts, shading their respective candidates, and as they went home after having their votes cast in PCOS Machines, waiting for their candidate win if not moving on as if nothing happened yet afforded to use their identifications meant for the season as voters.

However, that same day is also a day for establishments, as several restaurants and food businesses are also getting in on the importance of exercising Filipinos' right to vote such as Starbucks Philippines with its "One for You, One to Share" or Buy One, Get One promo on their Chocolate Hazelnut Macchiato or Roasted Caramel Macchiato on May 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Quite nice though to see establishments making election also convenient with all these perks, especially to those who can afford yet having their "consciences" be obliged to go to their precinct in order to vote their bet or even play the ballot for nothing.

And if most people are merely running after these perks, one would say that are they really voting for the country? That are they voting out for their principles and programs as what their politicos fighting for? Or just for a promise of offering promos and discounts to those who have already cast their votes?  

Sorry to say, but Damn! It seems that markets has really taken over everyone's political lives and profiteers really profited from it. And if some afforded these yet having principles as their basis of voting their respective politicians, for sure there are those who vote all for the sake of voting besides those of having themselves preferring to "stay" because of the "heat".

Anyways, whatever they say, the country needs a social overhaul by making people truly aware what's going, that the people will suddenly having themselves learn to claim their own country after all the bullshits being passed through years; otherwise, you will see a country similar to this kind of person who thinks that everything is all but the same, he chose not to engage in social affairs, what more of thinking all those statements and promises as illusions.

That person chose to sleep, and like Rip Van Winkle, will wake up few weeks, if not months or years, decades, or even centuries after just to see those so-called 'Changes'.

That's all for now. After all, with or without the elections, it is really true that today's era is "Kali Yuga", the so-called "age of vice", if not the age of "strife", "discord", "quarrel" or "contention". 

And by the way, here's a Music from Virtual Barangay's 帰宅します， Ａｍａｄｏ, enjoy!

"As the Summer Ends"

"As the Summer Ends"

As one enjoys the sun

And the other the moon

The breeze of the morning beach

And the latter the wind of afternoon

The cocktail of the party

And the midnights of cold coffee

Trying to break the sickening days

If not trying to set ourselves free

Hope be not like the bees that converged into the fluorescent light

Seeing its dead friends in a plastic bag as they've been trapped last night

If not lying on the floor dead or dying

As they've been stricken by the whirring fan

If not stepped by the slippers of an unknown man

Time is running fast as the summer leads to its end

As the clouds gathered water to shower the thirsty land

The suffering heat of "the child" be eased with the fifth month's rain

Easing the thirst for the world has yearned it from time and again

The sun may have still shining and the people romanticise the beach

If not the beauty of nature gone commercialised treated by the system as a bitch

Inconveniently true to hear, unbearable to bear

The heat should pave way for the rain we want dark clouds to stare!

The whirring of the ceiling fan breaks the silence,

And the ambience of night with the moonlight shining over

The sweetness of coffee chilled to enjoy

And the inspiring person through her picture to adore

Enough to ease the sadness and inspire to enlight

The sketchbook been opened

And with the pencil one would draw

Trying to find solace from a world called suffer

Until I end tired

Gone to bed

And sleep in comfort.

“They’re until may 9, but in everyday those from the background say’s you’re mine.”

“They’re until may 9,

 but in everyday those from the background say’s 

you’re mine.”

(Ramblings after seeing various arguments involving politicians, 

but who benefits from it? Is it the people or the system?)

Amidst all the statements and counterstatements being read in social media sites, of all the bullshit that has even reacted by one or another, and at the same time seeing those who trying to keep interests doing nothing except same old ways, one would ask: "why need to argue about candidates if in the end the only enemy is the system controlled by the oligarchs? That you may argued, if not hated all the liberals same as the so-called conservatives and of self-proclaimed middle way, of those radicals and of  moderates, yet in the end who benefits from those series of arguments? Is it the people?"

It may find funny to some, if not disenhearting, especially to those who are once friends turned enemies arguing after a certain candidate, and if to use the late fr. Reuter, or even Patrick Payton, especially with his heart-to-heart voice to paraphrase Mao Zedong's, this person would like to say that:

"Friends, why not let's talk over a cup of coffee? People may express their favour and opposition, that their political is personal, on the other hand, does series of hecklings makes you or someone else's happy? Anyways, anything political is not a dinner party, nor an embroidery, and shopping spree; it cannot also be refined, leisurely and gentle, or even temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. And since nowadays hearing various arguments seems to be a prequel for some vis a vis acts, if not a total act of violence by which one overthrows another. Hope it may not if they want to keep firm in their friendships especially during such discourses."

But the fact is this, that whatever they insist, it is an inconvenient fact that Mainstream politics has becoming boring and lame, enough to create apathy so to speak. People may still endure that months of hearing campaign jingles, of arguments, of almost infights amongst friends and acquaintances, as well as the fact that as people suddenly becoming political analysts, there are those who rather drinks coffee and doing something meaningful and keeping their political convictions to themselves.

Good to hear their analysis though but afterwards? A return to normalcy consists of a desperate goal to attain eternal happiness that some do so even in this time of convenient "nationalism" be it the coming elections or the month-long free museum visits. That those whom separated by political convictions and differences be end trying to rekindle their lost friendships or just simply ignoring it, moving on as if nothing happened.

Anyways, whatever they say justifying various stances enough for arguments, and still seeing such inconvenient realities, the country is still part of the still struggling "third world" and the people who really lead a stunted society are not the ones running for the presidential wooden throne at Malacanang but those who seat in their swivel chairs inside their air conditioned rooms thinking about retaining the status quo with some adjustments. 

That from the posters you see, the jingles you hear, the arguments trying to suppress, all and all, that in the end you rather see people whose surnames consists of Duterte, Roxas, Santiago, Poe, Binay be known until May 9 2015 with some electoral related bullshit be heard until next week or even June.

But how about in everyday life? In fact, you even see and also appreciate those people, happened to be outside politics yet they able to deal in their brand of "statecraft" straight from their offices and establishments since they want policies favourable to their interests that for sure most you ought to oppose, while at the same time you even enjoy watching their “teleseryes” featuring pornified personages, going to their malls for their three day sales and various shopping sprees, that you use their utilities and be suddenly gone mad after hearing price hikes related to these. And these people are not even elected men but controls your life, be it from surnames like Sy, Lopez, Ayala, Gokongwei, Cojuangco, Tan, Pangilinan telling the country that "you're mine".

Sorry but that is the inconvenient truth enough for an analysis. That the oligarchs of the compradore and landlord types control politics they way they control economy and cultural affairs, that the markets that entices people to buy and consume also control the agoras meant to express favour and dissent. Call it political but come to think of this, is politics should be limited to controversial issues involving politicians and elections while everyday goes to showbusiness and a pornified culture of sorts? No wonder why out of the mantra "fuck the system" there are those who chose not to vote out of their principles if not they are registered yet preferring to abstain from voting someone else's. 

What more of justifying further their personal stances further especially after seeing arguments online likely to become lynching sprees fence-sitters likely to describe it as a form of "culling" the population, that to paraphrase James Porrazzo's statement:

"Fuck voting, this shows real commitment and opens up true possibilities worth smiling about - like the 2015 elections being the beginning of the End here. But of course, it's not likely to go to that extreme. Yet."

You've enjoyed the sun (while I feel the warmth of your love)

You've enjoyed the sun (while I feel the warmth of your love)

A poem inspired by summer

And by the warmth of someone else's love

by yours truly

Vibrant on that day that you enjoyed the scene
Far from the bustling place you commonly been
Seeing all the fields of white, yellow, brown, or green
But the only thing I remember is your love and my mind scream

These past few days seemed to be inspiring especially coming from you

Is it because of the summer whose beauty has been glowing through?

What a heaven sent to those trying to ease from their blues

If not nurtured by nature to bring hope to this person making this poem true

For the fact that it is summer comes a glimmer of hope
From the harvest of rice to those trying to break their ropes
Flowers blossom with its freshest fragrance fit for a soap

If not a fruit so sweet till one with a problem be able to cope

I dwellth in the books while you enjoy the beach
You feel the morning breeze while I read a written speech
Yet my heart throbs on you hope it never glitch
And my love is selfless as the elder preach

As your skin kissed by the sun and caressed by the morning breeze
I in my room air conditionditioned room feeling an artificial bliss
Is it because of the breeze soon becoming freeze?
Maybe, for that cold itself is everyone wanted to sieze

Perhaps the heavens blesses you as you enjoy your day
While I rely on the mantra like the elders as they say
Deep in my heart I hope you are safe as I repeatedly pray
To the jewel of the lotus light her thy way

For you've enjoyed the sun while I feel the warmth of your love
You've enjoyed the breeze while I stare at the moon above
You make my day quite glad and I hope your evening be not sad
And I hope with this so-called poem may never get you mad

"Safeguarding Press Freedom and its yearness to Seek Truth from Facts"

"Safeguarding Press Freedom 

and its yearness to Seek Truth from Facts"

(ramblings from a statement made by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

in commemoration of International Press Freedom Day)

Well, at first, this person is ought to admit that regardless of having a law allegedly trying to protect freedom and welfare of its own citizens, it is inconveniently true that the Philippines is the fourth country known for killings and various threats towards media practitioners, especially those of Journalists.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1986, the country that tried to bring back its past glories of having a freest press in Asia was and is marred by issues involving harassments, killings, various forms of extrajudicial actions that caused harm, if not death, of those who seek truth or those who consistently oppose policies that is contrary to the law's desire to defend and ensure the well being of the people. In fact, according to Reporters Sans Frontiers, having it recently noted in its latest World Press Freedom Index, that the Philippines still maintained its dismal showing on the Index, placing 138th out of 180 countries, a slight improvement over its 141st ranking in 2014, while its score deteriorated, sliding 3.47 points from 2014’s 41.9 to 44.6 last year. 

And people does not care about it. One example of a question coming from them would be "Who cares about journalists? Those people who spent time making articles for the paper, radio, television, and in the internet?" What a strange question coming from those who think all about their perception of "happiness", of "convenience" especially amidst seeing such inconvenient truths. Sorry to say, but as the intentionally aloof chose to be that way, those who are truly concerned would say that the impunity with which media killings and extrajudicial executions in general continue to be committed has led to more journalists arming themselves, if not succumb themselves to self-censorship or at worse, corruption.

But again, regardless of the freedom attained, there are many journalists, media practitioners who are killed in the name of order if not those scared of exposing an inconvenient truth. To think that In 25 years, from 1990 to 2015, the International Federation of Journalists has recorded 146 media killings in the Philippines, or an average of six journalists and/or media workers killed annually. If to take out the Ampatuan massacre victims, that places the annual average at four. Whether that is six or four, the issue is the persistence of these extra-judicial killings and the fact that only about 10 of these cases have led to convictions of perpetrators, although no mastermind has been pinned down.
So far, 31 journalists and media practitioners were killed under President Aquino’s watch. And others are being threatened as such. With the system intentionally blocked the way to have a Freedom of Information (FOI) law has further muddled the environment for press freedom and freedom of expression. And contrary to what President Aquino’s campaign pledges six years ago for more freedoms as well as transparency in governance, rather everyone saw yet again the death of FOI legislation in Congress that is under the firm grip of the system via the administration and its political allies.
On the other hand, the system rather favoured the passage of the "Anti Cyber-Crime Law" that includes a cyber libel provision. The law, specifically its controversial nature enshrined in those provisions, was passed few years ago amidst popular opposition.

And despite all such promises, of so-called actions meant to be done by the law, did it defend those who expose and oppose unjust policies from those who harass in case of Ellen Tordesillas and Raffy Santos for their work on reporting about the campaign activities and attendant political issues of a presidential aspirant?

Anyways, regardless of all the risks, of threats, it is a duty to truth from facts, and this is what the media practitioners swore and doing for, same as those who truly trying to seek and truly understand.

We urge the people to join hand in hand, in vigilance because press freedom does not belong to the practitioners but to the people.

"Our Passion, Our Strength!"

"Our Passion, Our Strength!"

A May Day rambling

By Kat Ulrike

It is worth a call for thanksgiving and a call for struggle this May day.

As workers marched from the factory to the streets, of facing the riot policemen and clamouring for justice, May Day is a day of reaffirmation both in their struggle for their rights and a realisation of their aspirations, from their desire to have a decent living wage and better working standards to those of calls for justice against exploiters and of unjust, be it the profiteering employer, the corrupt bureaucrat, and its bloodthirsty attack dogs in uniform who seriously "serve and protect" these ruling degenerates workers ought to detest.

Sounds confronting to think that these people trying to keep the status quo has anything to do with keeping their interest through unfair working conditions, low wages, contractualisation and seasonal-only employments, harassments, neglecting workplace safety and other issues that affected the working class; what more that the latter, being a citizen of its own homeland, hearing issues such as corrupt bureaucrats, bloodthirsty attack dogs, rising costs of goods and services, channeling needed funds to debt servicing and series of white elephants, a mendicant foreign policy, and its series of economic proposals that is pegged to those of oligarch and multinational interests.

Sorry for being radical in its statement, but having the fact that the issues of the laboring masses  and the society itself demands a radical solution. To think that as the system afforded to babble recent developments, the labouring masses demand 750 wage increase for the laborers and 16,000 Minimum wage for the government employees, what more of the need for low taxes and of abolishing unjust policies like contractualisation and union-busting, may as well the labouring masses both in the city and in the countryside demand for a revolution and the usurpation of political and economic power from these power greed and profit driven men of the cloth. 

And since president Aquino has afforded to praise the workers "for their cooperation in maintaining industrial peace" and "for facing the challenges for global competitiveness", and yet he failed to mention anything on wages and other needs, what more of aloof in hearing various grievances, rather makes everyone remind of the haciendero heritage of these ruling personages amidst babbling peace, development, progress, or even reform and restructuring. Again, it makes everyone's blood boil till willing to demand fire and brimstone against the system!

This International Workers Day, may the labouring masses continue their struggle, to stand and affirm in its principles, and to forge aspirations till the final battle. The system may still remain aloof, or arrogant in asserting its own reaction, but to think that the strength of the working masses is the strength of the nation, the passions been facing lies a strength to overturn the present order.

Our passion is our strength! Till victory!