ABSTRACT
In recent years, historians of Spain have unearthed a wealth of detail about murders committed behind the lines during and after the Civil War of 1936-1939. This chapter argues the use of military tribunals for the mass prosecution of civilians and prisoners of war alike offered the Franco regime an opportunity to present the repression to the court of world opinion as the administration of justice. In places where the rebels clinched success, the rural north and west excluding the industrial Basque country and Asturias, prominent political figures like mayors and trade union officials were often the first to be killed. The News Chronicle in London carried the front-page story recounting how Franco had informed journalist Jay Allen that he was prepared to shoot half of Spain to win his triumph. The British proved that they were prepared in the correct circumstances to make moves to protect government supporters from what they plainly recognised as the harsh military tribunal system.
