>>63978008

Good way of subtly getting rid of potential political rivals too. A lot of the more whacky subfactions of the Spanish Nationalist cause during their civil war like the Falangists (dye-in-the-wool Fascists) and Carlists (supporters of the old monarchy) were overrepresented in the frontline infantry (and thus sustained disproportionate losses). One can only suspect Franco may have been discreetly trying to kill two birds with one stone.