Emilio Mola
Emilio Mola Vidal (9 July 1887 – 3 June 1937) was a Spanish nationalist soldier who led the July 1936 coup against the Second Spanish Republic, which started the Spanish Civil War.
Biography
Early life
Mola was born in Placetas, Cuba, which was part of Spain at that time. His father was a Spanish army officer during the Cuban War of Independence. After the Spanish–American War, his family settled in Spain.
In 1904, Mola joined the Toledo Infantry Academy and started his military career. By 1927, he was a brigadier general. Mola was made Director-General of Security in 1930, the last man to serve this position under King Alfonso XIII.[1]
Conspiracy & coup
Mola joined a group of military officers who planned to overthrow the Second Spanish Republic in the July 1936 coup. The coup was not successful in overthrowing the Republican government and led to the start of the Spanish Civil War.
Death
On 3 June 1937, Mola died in a plane crash.[2] The airplane he was traveling in crashed into the side of a hill in Alcocero while he was returning to the city of Vitoria due to the poor weather.
References
- ↑ Payne, S. The Spanish Civil War. Cambridge University Press, 2012. p 66.
- ↑ Hamlin, John F. (2001). The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File. United Kingdom. p. 11. ISBN 9780851302898.