It's 1917. Francisco Franco is just 24 years old, but already this young officer has reached

the rank of major in the Spanish army. Franco's years of service in North Africa have turbocharged

his progression through the military. Fighting as part of the Spanish forces in Morocco is

highly dangerous. One year ago Franco nearly died after taking a bullet to the stomach, but

he survived. And having made it through this turmoil, Franco will soon rise up the chain

of command all the way to the very top. My name is Paul McGann, and in this episode we

return to early 20th century Spain. This is part two of the Francisco Franco's tourney,

and this is Real Dictators.

Freshly promoted to major, Francisco Franco is forced into a relocation. There are no positions

at his rank available in Morocco. His only option is to head home to mainland Spain.

Franco is posted to the northern city of Oviedo, where he takes command of a battalion. But despite

his new elevated position, Franco soon finds he does not receive the same respect at home,

as he did in North Africa. A rift has formed within the Spanish army between two rival groups.

On one hand, the Afrikanistas. Having served overseas, they believe they are the only soldiers

truly dedicated to the future of the Spanish Empire. On the other hand, the Peninsularis,

those stationed in mainland Spain, on the Iberian Peninsula. The Peninsularis view their rival

faction as opportunists. They resent how quickly Afrikanistas are allowed to rise through

the ranks. In Oviedo, the 24-year-old Franco suddenly finds himself in command of men much

older than himself. There are soldiers twice as age who have only just reached the level

of Major, Captain. In Morocco, Franco was respected and even feared. In Oviedo, his meticulously

crafted, hard-man persona disappears, and he's once again the subject of ridicule. For

his diminutive stature and high-pitched voice, his fellow soldiers call him El Comandantin,

...