Operation Felix

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Felix was the proposed name for a German/Spanish seizure of Gibraltar. It was scheduled for 10 January 1941 but never executed. This plan was discussed at a meeting held between Franco and Hitler in late October 1940, in Hitler's railroad car at Hendaye, at the border of German-occupied France with Spain.

Franco's material demands for joining the Axis powers included:

  • 400,000-700,000 tons of grain
  • All the fuel required for the Spanish Army
  • All lacking equipment for the Spanish Army
  • Artillery, aircraft, and special troops for the conquest of Gibraltar

In addition, Franco wanted Germany to hand over the territories of Morocco and Oran, and to "help [Spain] get a border revision in the west of Río de Oro."

Hitler later said he would rather have three teeth extracted than meet with Franco again.

It is subject to historical debate if Franco overplayed his hand demanding too much from Hitler for Spanish entry into the war, or if he deliberately stymied the German dictator by setting the price unrealistically high. Also, Wilhelm Canaris, who secretly relayed information to Franco about the German plans, might have convinced Franco not to agree to Hitler's demands.

[edit] Further information

Hitlers directive no. 18 12 November 1940 - Operation Felix. Available here.

[edit] See also

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