José Moscardó Ituarte

José Moscardó e Ituarte, 1st Count of the Alcázar of Toledo, Grandee of Spain (26 October 1878 – 12 April 1956) was the military Governor of Toledo Province during the Spanish Civil War. He sided with the Nationalist army fighting the Republican government and his most notable action was the defence and holding of the Alcázar of Toledo against Republican forces.

José Moscardó
Birth nameJosé Moscardó Ituarte
Born26 October 1878
Madrid, Spain
Died12 April 1956(1956-04-12) (aged 77)
Madrid, Spain
Allegiance Kingdom of Spain
 Spanish State
Service/branchArmy
Years of service1896–1948
RankCaptain General
Commands heldMilitary Governor of Toledo
Captain General of Andalusia
Captain General of Catalonia
Battles/warsPhilippine Revolution
Rif War
Spanish Civil War
  • Siege of the Alcázar
AwardsLaureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand
Signature

When still a Colonel and military governor of the province, Moscardó was described by the English Major Geoffrey McNeill-Moss as "a tall, reserved, gentle-mannered man, a little awkward, rather punctillious: happy enough with a few people he knew well, but shy in company. He had a strict sense of duty. He was religious. In a nation where most were slack, he was exact."

For some time leading up to the Civil War Moscardó had lived in semi-retirement, a middle-aged soldier. When conflict commenced he assumed the role of Commandant of the citadel in Toledo, with a total garrison of 1,028, which included six hundred Civil Guard under their own commander, 150 army officers, 35 Falangists, 10 Carlists, 25 members of the Monarchist Association, and 40 peasants and workmen. In addition there were 670 non-combatants including 100 men too old to serve, 520 women and 50 children.

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