1939: Gibraltar

The threat to Great Britain's power and prestige at Gibraltar was diminished early in 1939 by the conclusion of the Spanish civil war. The refugee problem continued to harass the authorities, however, and demonstrations by Spanish Republican refugees against the Burgos agency led to police action on Jan. 27. In April, after Italy's taking of Albania, there was activity of the Anglo-French fleets in the Mediterranean and the road from Gibraltar to the mainland was closed by the erection of a barrier. British naval units withdrew to the eastern Mediterranean, while the French fleet anchored at Gibraltar for its additional protection. Early in May, following reports that all Spanish troops in the vicinity had been demobilized, the authorities removed the barrier on the road to the fortress. In August, however, the European crisis led to new precautions at Gibraltar. The Fortress Headquarters on Aug. 14 forbade members of the armed forces, officials of the dockyards, and their families to cross the Spanish frontier. Ten days later, the police requested certain categories of foreigners, including Italians, to leave Gibraltar. On Sept. 5, full wartime regulations went into effect. All international financial transactions were placed under the direct control of the Governor, and permits were required for the importation and exportation of all products. Gibraltar immediately became one of the chief control stations for the British navy, which began inspecting all neutral ships and seizing contraband and German exports.