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Fighting in Syria looks a lot like Spanish Civil War

In this photo taken on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, Syrian army howitzers fire near the village of Morek in Syria. The Syrian army has launched an offensive this week in central and northwestern Syria aided by Russian airstrikes. (AP Photo/Alexander Kots, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Photo via AP)
In this photo taken on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, Syrian army howitzers fire near the village of Morek in Syria. The Syrian army has launched an offensive this week in central and northwestern Syria aided by Russian airstrikes. (AP Photo/Alexander Kots, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Photo via AP) Alexander Kots AP

The entry of Russia into the mess in Syria reminds me of the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939. The Nationalists finally beat the Republicans, but both sides benefited from outside help.

The Republicans were helped by Russia with airplanes and tanks, while Mexico provided arms and ammunition. The Nationalists had the better deal. Germany provided the new Messerschmitt BF109, along with German pilots with the latest tanks and bombers. Italy provided aircraft, tanks and munitions. Spain became the battleground to test the latest equipment and Germany perfected the blitzkreig tactics so successfully used in World War II.

Let us hope the apparent accidental impact of four guided missles in Iran leads to peaceful discussion and not World War III.

Russell W. Stevens

Palmetto

This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Fighting in Syria looks a lot like Spanish Civil War ."

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