Battle of Cordoba (1941-1943) (World of Sultans)

The Battle of Cordoba (Arabic: معركة قرطبة, Mozarabic: Alzoraj di Cordóba, Spanish: Batalla de Córdoba) was a major battle fought between Spain and Al-Andalus during World War II for control Cordoba in central Al-Andalus, between 1941 to 1943.

Marked by fierce close quarters combat and direct assaults on civilians by air raids, it is considered one of the deadliest and bloodiest battles in the history of Al-Andalus, with over 754,423 killed in combat, another 773,442 injured or captured. The battle inflicted vicious loses for the Imperial Spanish Army, and after losing the battle, the Spaniards lost the interest in continuing the fight against the Moors.

The Spanish offensive to Cordoba began in 1941, using the Spanish 9th Army. The attack was supported by aerial lightning-bull attacks, the Spanish adaptation of the German blitzkrieg, also using German warplanes as Francoist Spain was supported by Nazi Germany for a short time until 1943. The Spaniards also starved the city, aiming their attacks on farms used for food production, as well as destroying food distribution centers. The fighting degenerated into house-to-house fighting, and both sides poured reinforcements into the city.

Despite seemingly having the advantage in superior technology, and well-trained soldiers, the Spaniards suffered heavily from Imperial Decree 34, an order by Francisco Franco not to damage, destroy or open fire on any historical landmarks in Al-Andalus, or face punishment by death penalty.

The Andalusians exploited the decree as much as they could, and often used the historical sites as bases and forts to attack from, knowing that they were near-immune to the Spanish attacks. In addition, the denizens of the city established militant forces to aid the Royal Andalusian Forces in combating the Spanish invasion, namely the Alcázar Guerrillas, the Andalusian Republican Army and independent militias, similar to the partisans of Russia and Yugoslavia on the Eastern Front.

In addition, Adolf Hitler's decision to cease all military aid to Francisco Franco only worsened the situation for the Spaniards. In 1943, the remaining soldiers the Spanish 9th Army surrendered to the Andalusians.

Along with the battles of Granada and Seville, it is considered one of the most important victories of the Royal Andalusian Forces during the war.