The Catholic general who defended the Republic
In January 1939, Rojo told Negrín that the front had ceased to exist.
Vicente Rojo was a professional officer who remained loyal to the Spanish Republic, joining military expertise to a deeply held Catholic faith. He organized the defense of Madrid and planned operations at Jarama, Guadalajara, Brunete and the Ebro, becoming the Republican People's Army's central staff officer. After retreating to France in 1939, he refused Negrín's order to return and chose to care for refugee soldiers, then lived in exile in Argentina and Bolivia. He returned to Spain in 1957, was prosecuted for military rebellion by Franco's regime, and was soon pardoned without serving his suspended sentence.
Career Timeline
- 1914Graduated from the Infantry Academy at Toledo, second lieutenant
- 1922–1932Instructor and education administrator at the Toledo Infantry Academy
- 1936Served on the Republican General Staff, promoted lieutenant colonel
- 1936–1937Chief of staff of the Madrid Defense Forces
- 1937–1939Chief of the Republican central staff, directing the People's Army's expansion and major operations
- 1939Exiled to France, promoted lieutenant general, refused the order to return
- 1943–1956Professor at a Bolivian military school
- 1957Returned to Spain, prosecuted for military rebellion and pardoned