Franco at Hendaye — October 23

Francisco Franco's Spain is barely emerging from its civil war, bled white, dependent on imports of wheat and oil — largely controlled by the British and the Americans. Ideologically close to the Axis, Franco must nonetheless tend to an economy on the edge of famine.

On October 23, 1940, Hitler meets him at the Hendaye border station. The Führer wants to draw Spain into the war: the capture of Gibraltar would close the western Mediterranean to the British. In exchange, he dangles territories in French North Africa — but without firm commitment, since he is also handling Vichy with care. Franco also owes Hitler and Mussolini the decisive support received during the Spanish Civil War, which weighs in the balance.

Franco gauges the risks. Entering the war would expose Spain to the Allied blockade and the loss of her supplies, with no guarantee of gains. But a flat refusal to Hitler, at the height of his power, would be dangerous. The Caudillo must choose: openly ally and enter the war, refuse, or set conditions so high they would amount to a disguised refusal.