The Málaga–Almería road massacre, also known as the Desbandá, was an attack on the republican-dominated city of Málaga, Spain and its citizens on 8 February 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The city was penetrated by Nationalist forces and their fascist supporters. An estimated 5,000–15,000 civilians attempted to evacuate the besieged city via the N-340 coastal road connecting Málaga to the city of Almería. Background On 12 April 1931, Spain had its first democratic elections since the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. The elections resulted in the formation of the Spanish Second Republic. Consequently, a great divide was created among two of the more prevalent political ideologies of the time. El golpe de estado was a coup d’etat on 18 July 1936 by the Nationalist forces against the Republican government. As a result of the failure of the coup, the Spanish Civil War began immediately afterwards. Aside from the capital city of Sevilla, the southern region of Andalucía (Andalusia) was primarily a Republican stronghold during the war. Málaga, a "Republican" city on the southern coast of Andalucia, was soon targeted by the Nationalist forces. On 17 January 1937, Nationalist forces led by General Queipo de Llano were sent to seize Granada, Marbella, Ronda and other surrounding areas. These actions were not perceived by Republican authorities to require immediate retaliation or preparation. However, the Nationalist force greatly outnumbered the army in Málaga. The Nationalist forces consisted of Spanish soldiers, approximately 10,000 Italian Blackshirts, German supporters, and even troops from the cities of Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Meanwhile, only 12,000 Republican troops were prepared to defend Málaga with 8,000 guns. Attack on Málaga On 3 February 1937, the Nationalist forces were met by Republican opposition in Ronda as they neared the city of Málaga. However, the defensive efforts were squashed. The city of Málaga was soon besieged by Nationalist forces. Italian Corpo Truppe Volontarie units attacked the city from the surrounding highlands on 6 February, forcing the evacuation of civilians from the city. 8 February 1937 marked the fall of Málaga to Nationalist forces. The city was attacked by land, air, and sea. Troops infiltrated Málaga with guns and tanks, while Italian and German aerial and marine forces bombed and burned the city. Due to its geographical location along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and its mountainous, inland boundaries (the Sierra Morena and the