Famous Last Words: Last conversation at Siege of Alcazar between Colonel Moscardo and his son, Luis

We’ve all heard of famous last words, but the following conversation is one of the most famous last conversations recorded for history. It took place during the Spanish Civil between Colonel Mascardo, the military governor of Toledo, and the Commander of the Red Militia. The Red Militia had captured the son of Colonel Mascardo and, in return for the life of his son, the Colonel was to surrender the Alcazar. Colonel Mascardo held the Alcazar from July 17^th to September 27^th when General Francisco Franco arrived with the army to repel the Loyalist forces. Before I give you the contents of this last conversation between father and son, I would like to give you a little background to the events preceding it.

From about 1928, there was unrest in Spain, with government swinging between Republican and Monarchy. There was also a fairly strong fascist movement. The Spanish civil war was a fight between democracy and fascism, and fascism won. General Francisco Franco lead the coup d'état and established a fascist government which lasted from 1928 through till 1978, three years after the death of Franco. I remember going to Spain in 1975 and seeing soldiers with rifles on each corner. It was a unique experience for me at the time. It felt scary.

The Alcazar of Toledo was first built by the Romans in the third century, then reconstructed by the Moors when they took over, then used as a residence of the kings of Spain from the time that Toledo was taken from the Moors until the time of Philip II. Then it became a military Academy. It had immense symbolic importance to Spaniards and whoever held it was perceived to be the more dominant.

To get back to the Siege of Alcarzar, there were some 800 men from the civil guard and 670 civilians in the Alcazar, a military academy. The civilians included 500 women and 50 children. It was important for Colonel Mascardo to hold the Alcazar until General Franco arrived, and also to protect the people under his care.

On the fateful morning that the Commander of the Red Militia called Colonel Mascardo, the conversation went like this:

The Last Converation
Red Commander: It’s you people who are responsible for all the massacres and the crimes that have been occurring. I give you ten minutes to surrender the Alcazar. If you don’t, I’m going to shoot your son, Luis, who I’ve got in my power here.

Col Moscardo: I believe you.

Red Commander: To show you it’s true, here is in on the line.

Luis Moscardo: Hullo, Dad.

Col Moscardo: What’s up, Son?

Luis Moscardo: Nothing, they just say they’re going to shoot me if you don’t surrender the Alcazar.

Col: Moscardo: Well, then, commend your soul to God, cry “Viva Espana” an die like a patriot.

Luis Moscardo: All my love to you, Dad.

Col Moscardo: And all mine to you, my son. (To the Red Commander) You can save yourself the time you’ve given me. The Alcazar will never surrender.

The above conversation is taken from a 1957 postcard bought at the Alcazar de Toledo. It shows a framed document detailing the above conversation.

Luis Moscardo was not shot immediately, but was shot. The incident took place a few months later.

A movie was made of the Siege of Alcazar in 1940. The movie does not appear to be in existence anymore, although it is listed on IMDB. In addition, I can find no trailer.

"Greater love has no man than this – that one man lay down his life for another."