Luis Orgaz y Yoldi
| Luis Orgaz Yoldi | |
|---|---|
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| Birth name | Luis Orgaz Yoldi |
| Born |
May 28, 1881 Vitoria, Spain |
| Died | January 31, 1946 (aged 64) Madrid, Spain |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Service/ |
Spanish Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held |
Canary Islands Spanish Morocco |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Jarama |
Luis Orgaz Yoldi (28 May 1881, Vitoria – 31 January 1946, Madrid) was a Spanish general who was a leading figure on the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War. He later went on to become a critic of the regime of Francisco Franco and agitated for the restoration of the monarchy.
From his earliest days Orgaz was a staunch advocate of monarchism. As a consequence he was under a veil of suspicion during the tenure of Manuel Azaña, leading to Orgaz being placed under house arrest and then exiled in the Canary Islands in 1931. The suspicions were not groundless however as, like many leading monarchists in Spain at the time, Orgaz was involved in a number of plots aimed at a restoration. Close to General Emilio Mola, Orgaz was one of a number of leading officers who joined the general in conspiracy against the Popular Front government in early 1936.
Following the outbreak of the Civil War he was placed in command of the Nationalist forces in the Canary Islands. During the early stages of the Civil War he was one of the first leading figures to echo Alfredo Kindelán's calls for a single leader for the Nationalist side. He was also quick to indicate his support for Francisco Franco for the role. Indeed, along with Kindelán, Nicolas Franco, José Millán Astray and, from 1937, Ramón Serrano Súñer, Orgaz formed a central part of Franco's most trusted confidantes in the early part of the war.
In December 1936 Orgaz was moved to command of the Central Front, although an early attempt to attack Republican positions was a failure due to the significant numerical advantage enjoyed by the International Brigades in the area. A renewed offensive along the same lines in January 1937 resulted in a stalemate. He had official command at the Battle of Jarama although in reality the orders to keep pressing, which resulted in extensive loss of life for both sides, came direct from Franco. With the Italians highly critical of the command at Jarama Franco moved to placate them by relieving Orgaz of his command in favour of Andrés Saliquet Zumeta.
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