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Gonzalo Queipo de LlanoSpanish General
Date of Birth: 05.02.1875
Country:  Spain |
Content:
Enrique K eypo de Llano y Sánchez
Early Life and Military CareerEnrique K eypo de Llano y Sánchez was born in Madrid, Spain. He initially studied in a Catholic seminary but later abandoned his religious aspirations and joined the army as an infantryman. K eypo de Llano then attended the Royal Cavalry Academy in Valladolid and participated in the Spanish-American War (1898) in Cuba and the Rif War in Morocco.
Republican Years
K eypo de Llano rose to the rank of Brigadier General in 1923. Opposed to the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera, he was imprisoned but released in 1926. During his years in opposition, he was dismissed from the army and forced to earn a living as a soap manufacturer and merchant.
In 1930, K eypo de Llano became the leader of the Republican Military Organization and collaborated with the Republican Revolutionary Committee in an anti-monarchist conspiracy. Following the failure of the uprising against King Alfonso XIII, K eypo de Llano fled to Portugal and returned to Spain after the monarchy was overthrown in April 1931.
Role in the Spanish Civil War
Despite his previous opposition, K eypo de Llano was reinstated in the army and promoted to Divisional General. He served as Chief of the Military Cabinet for President Niceto Alcalá Zamora. From 1934 to 1936, K eypo de Llano was General Inspector of the Carabineros, a paramilitary force.
Unexpectedly, K eypo de Llano joined the conspiracy against the Popular Front government that came to power in February 1936. He opposed the left-wing policies of agrarian reform, the outlawing of the far-right Spanish Falange, and anticlerical measures. Additionally, the Popular Front had forced the resignation of President Alcalá Zamora, whose son was married to K eypo de Llano's daughter.
In the lead-up to the military uprising, K eypo de Llano played an active role in organizing the Nationalist forces. He inspected Carabineros units and prepared for the nationalist offensive.
On July 17, 1936, K eypo de Llano learned of the military uprising in Morocco. He immediately traveled to Seville and rallied the city's Nationalist forces to seize control. Despite initial setbacks and a lack of support from the local Falange, K eypo de Llano's decisive action and the support of the artillery and Civil Guard allowed him to capture the city center and force the surrender of the civilian governor.
Throughout the Spanish Civil War, K eypo de Llano commanded Nationalist forces in various theaters of operation. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Brunete and the Battle of the Ebro.
Legacy
Enrique K eypo de Llano y Sánchez remains a controversial figure. He is credited with his success in securing Seville for the Nationalists, but he is also remembered for his support of Franco's dictatorship and his role in the suppression of the Republican movement.
