Agustín Aznar: A Falangist's Trajectory
An academic exploration of a complex political figure, from student activism to the Francoist regime and beyond, navigating Spain's tumultuous 20th century.
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Overview
A Figure of Contradictions
Agustín Aznar Gerner (1911–1984) was a Spanish medical doctor and a prominent political activist within the Falange, a fascist political party. His career spanned the tumultuous period of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Francoist dictatorship, where he emerged as a leading, albeit at times challenging, figure within Francisco Franco's nationalist movement. Aznar's trajectory reveals a complex interplay of medical professionalism and radical political commitment.
Key Biographical Data
Born on August 18, 1911, in Madrid, Spain, Agustín Aznar passed away in his hometown on May 2, 1984, at the age of 72. His life was marked by significant political and military engagements:
- Political Affiliation: Primarily associated with the Falange Española y de las JONS (FE de las JONS) and later the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista (FET y de las JONS).
- Occupation: Medical Doctor and Politician.
- Military Service: Served in the Spanish Army and the German Heer, notably with the Blue Division from 1941 to 1943 during World War II.
- Key Conflicts: Spanish Civil War and the Eastern Front of World War II.
- Recognition: Awarded the Iron Cross for his military service.
- Legislative Role: Member of the Cortes Españolas from 1961 to 1976.
Political Context
Aznar represented a radical faction within Franco's broader coalition, often advocating for a more purely fascist ideological direction for the regime. His actions and political maneuvering frequently brought him into direct conflict with Franco's consolidating power, highlighting the internal struggles and ideological tensions that characterized the early years of the Francoist state. Understanding Aznar requires appreciating the dynamic and often brutal political landscape of 20th-century Spain.
Early
Academic and Medical Foundations
Agustín Aznar was the son of Severino Aznar, a respected academic and sociology lecturer. Following in his father's intellectual footsteps, Aznar pursued a medical degree at the Universidad Central de Madrid. He specialized in haematology, a field in which he would later achieve significant professional standing, ultimately serving as the Chief Professor of the Central Laboratory and the Haematological Service. This dual identity as a medical professional and a political firebrand is a defining characteristic of his early career.
Emergence as a Falangist Leader
Aznar's political awakening occurred during his student years. In 1935, he co-founded and led the Falangist student union, the Sindicato Español Universitario. Known for his robust physique and having held the Greco-Roman wrestling title in Castille, Aznar quickly gained a reputation as a formidable and adventurous figure. His leadership extended to becoming the chief of the Madrid section of the Falange militia, where he actively participated in violent street confrontations with leftist opponents, underscoring his early commitment to radical political action.
Civil War and Early Maneuvers
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War found Aznar imprisoned, as the Falange had been outlawed in March 1936. However, his release was swift following the Nationalist takeover of the area. He was subsequently appointed jefe (chief) of the national militias, succeeding Luis Aguilar. During this period, Aznar engaged in audacious schemes, including a failed attempt in 1936, in collaboration with German consul Hans Joachim von Knobloch, to bribe for the release of the captured Falangist leader José Antonio Primo de Rivera. This episode, though unsuccessful, cemented his reputation for daring and unconventional tactics. Furthermore, he vehemently opposed the integration of Falangist militias into a unified Nationalist force under General Juan Yagüe, driven by a deep suspicion of Yagüe's Carlist affiliations.
Struggle
Post-Primo de Rivera Succession Crisis
Following the execution of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the Falange was plunged into a power vacuum. Agustín Aznar emerged as a central figure in the ensuing struggle for leadership. Alongside Sancho Dávila y Fernández de Celis, he spearheaded the "legitimistas" faction, which staunchly opposed Manuel Hedilla, Primo de Rivera's designated successor. This internal conflict threatened to destabilize the Nationalist front during a critical phase of the Civil War.
The Triumvirate and Counter-Coup
In a bold move to assert control, Aznar leveraged his militia to depose Hedilla on April 16, 1937. He then established a triumvirate, placing himself, Sancho Dávila, and their ally José Moreno at the helm of the Falange. However, Hedilla swiftly retaliated, enlisting the aid of Finnish fascist Carl von Haartman, who led Hedilla's forces in recapturing the Falangist Headquarters from Aznar's faction. This rapid escalation underscored the volatile nature of Falangist internal politics.
Franco's Intervention and Falange Neutralization
The escalating internal strife within the Falange posed a significant threat to the broader Nationalist war effort. General Francisco Franco intervened decisively, publicly endorsing Hedilla and ordering the arrest of Aznar, Sancho Dávila, and their associates. Crucially, Franco seized this opportunity to effectively neutralize the Falange as an independent political force. He immediately announced the formation of the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista (FET y de las JONS), a unified party that absorbed the Falange and other right-wing groups, thereby rendering the position of Falange head largely ceremonial. Although briefly imprisoned, Aznar was soon released and appointed to the now significantly weakened Falangist National Council, a testament to his enduring, albeit diminished, influence.
Return
Reconciliation and New Roles
Despite his previous imprisonment and the effective curtailment of his power, Aznar quickly reconciled with Franco's newly consolidated movement. His pragmatic approach allowed him to regain a degree of influence, leading to his appointment as an assessor of militias. This role, while not as prominent as his earlier leadership positions, indicated his continued involvement in the regime's apparatus and his willingness to operate within the new political structure established by Franco.
Attempts at Radicalization
As a member of the 12-man Junta Politica, Aznar, alongside Fernando González Vélez, attempted in 1938 to steer the movement towards a more radical, overtly fascist ideology, drawing inspiration from Italian fascism and Nazism. Their objective was to elevate the party's importance and ideological purity within the Francoist state. These proposals, articulated to the Junta by their ally Dionisio Ridruejo, ignited another potential schism, this time with the monarchist faction led by Pedro Sainz Rodríguez, who viewed fascism's republican tendencies with disdain.
Second Imprisonment and Release
Once again, Franco sided against Aznar's radical ambitions. Both Aznar and González Vélez were imprisoned for their perceived plot, a decision reportedly influenced by an intelligence report, though concrete evidence of a direct conspiracy against Franco remains scarce. This incident underscored Franco's consistent strategy of suppressing any internal challenges to his supreme authority. Aznar was eventually released in November 1939, allowing him to return to a degree of prominence within the party, albeit under closer scrutiny.
Nazi
Service in the Blue Division
Disillusioned by the increasingly conservative direction of the Franco regime, Agustín Aznar, along with other original Falangists such as Dionisio Ridruejo and the García-Noblejas brothers, sought a more ideologically aligned path. This led him to join the Blue Division during the Second World War. This volunteer unit, composed of Spanish fascists and anti-communists, fought alongside Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front, reflecting Aznar's continued commitment to radical right-wing ideologies and his anti-Soviet stance.
Medical Collaboration with Germany
Beyond his military service, Aznar also held the relatively minor governmental position of National Delegate for Health. In this capacity, he became associated with José Luis de Arrese's efforts to strengthen ties with Nazi Germany following his war service. Combining his medical background with his political role, Aznar initiated a program that facilitated Spanish doctors working in German hospitals. This medical exchange program continued until late 1944, illustrating a practical dimension of the collaboration between elements of the Francoist regime and Nazi Germany.
Postwar
Sidelined by Shifting Alliances
With the conclusion of World War II, Franco's regime strategically shifted its foreign policy towards a pro-Western and anti-communist stance. This realignment led to the sidelining of many prominent pro-Nazi figures within the government, including Agustín Aznar. Despite this, he managed to retain a position on the Falange's Junta Politica until 1958, a testament to his enduring, albeit diminished, presence within the party structure since his initial appointment in the 1930s.
Role in the Cortes Españolas
In 1961, Aznar was appointed to the Cortes Españolas, a legislative body that, under Franco's regime, held largely ceremonial power. He served in this capacity until 1976. Notably, in 1976, as Spain transitioned away from dictatorship, Aznar was among the deputies who voted against the lifting of the ban on political parties, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the principles of the Francoist state even as the political landscape began to transform.
Return to Medicine
Agustín Aznar's active political involvement effectively concluded with the restoration of constitutional monarchy in Spain. With the political stage shifting dramatically, he returned to his professional roots in medicine. He dedicated his later years to serving as the head of the blood transfusion service in a Madrid hospital, concluding a life that had traversed the complex and often brutal intersections of medicine, radical politics, and national upheaval.
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References
References
- Stanley G. Payne, Fascism in Spain, 1923â1977, 2000, p. 164
- Paul Preston, Franco, London: 1995, pp. 194â195
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