Bombing of Alicante

The Market Bombing of Alicante 25 May 1938
Part of the Spanish Civil War

The current central market of Alicante
Date25 May 1938
Location
Result Alicante severely damaged.
Belligerents
 Spanish Republic  Nationalist Spain
Kingdom of Italy Aviazione Legionaria
Commanders and leaders
? ?
Strength
Anti-aircraft artillery 7–9 Italian Sa-79 and Sa-81 bombers
Casualties and losses
275–393 civilians dead
1,000 civilians injured
None

One of the worst bombing attacks on civilian population in Alicante during the Spanish civil war. This particular attack was one of many against the Spanish city of Alicante and it occurred on 25 May 1938, perpetrated by the Legionary Air Force, an expeditionary corps from the Italian Royal Air Force, allied with Franco. The attacking planes were based in Mallorca. It is even considered by many to be one of the deadliest aerial bombings of the entire Spanish Civil War with many bombs dropped on a strictly civilian population with no military targets within a short amount of time. It was heavily reported by witnesses that the planes dove low shooting at civilians randomly.