🕵️‍♂️ Was Mallorca Occupied in WWII? The Surprising Truth

If you’ve ever walked along the pristine sands of Es Trenc and spotted those strange, blocky concrete structures, or wondered why a street in Palma is called Via Roma, you’ve seen the physical scars of a very complicated era.

For us, history in Mallorca is a big thing. It’s built into our landscape. One of the questions we get most often is: was Mallorca occupied in WWII?

The quick answer is no—but the island was actually occupied by a foreign power just before the world went to war, and it remained a playground for spies until 1945.

🇮🇹 The "Occupation" You Didn't Know About (1936-1939)

While Majorca WWII history is defined by neutrality, the years immediately preceding it—during the Mallorca during Spanish Civil War period—were much darker.

• The Italian Presence: In 1936, Fascist Italy basically took over the island to support Franco’s Nationalist forces. They didn't just visit; they occupied.

• The "Red Count": An Italian Blackshirt leader named Arconovaldo Bonaccorsi (The Red Count) acted like the island's governor. He even renamed the main street in Palma to Via Roma, a name it still holds today!

• The Exit: Mussolini eventually pulled his troops out in 1939, just as WWII was beginning, leaving the island back in Spanish hands.

🛡️ WWII Reality: Paranoia and the "Invasion That Never Came"

During the actual years of 1939–1945, Spain's WWII neutrality was the official stance. This means Mallorca was not occupied by Germany or the Allies. However, General Franco was absolutely terrified that an invasion was coming.

• The Bunkers of Es Trenc: If you see the concrete ruins on the beach at Es Trenc, those are Franco’s bunkers. He built hundreds of them because he was convinced the Allies would land here to reclaim the Mediterranean.

• Beyond the Beach Bunkers: While the beach pillboxes get all the photos, the real muscle was in the massive coastal batteries like Cabo Blanco and Rafeubetx.

• Heavy Artillery: These spots were part of the "Kindelán Plan" and were armed with massive 305mm Vickers cannons. They were designed to sink any battleship that got too close. Some were so well-built they stayed active until the 1990s!

🕵️‍♀️ The "Spy Island": Spies and "Journalists"

This is where Mallorca's history feels like a Bond movie. Because we were neutral, everyone was here, watching everyone else.

• The Gestapo in Cala Sant Vicenç: Most people visiting the beautiful cove of Cala Sant Vicenç have no idea that a man named Anton E. Zischka lived there during the war.

• The "Journalist" Cover: Zischka claimed to be a simple journalist, but he was actually a Gestapo agent. His real job? Coordinating secret supplies for German U-boats lurking in the Mediterranean.

• Operation Mincemeat: The British Consul in Mallorca, Allan Hillgarth, was a key player in Allied intelligence. Known as the "eyes of Churchill," he ran a huge spy network from right here in Palma.

🕊️ The Secret Refugee Connection

One of the most moving "hidden" stories is Mallorca’s role as a "hush-hush" transit point for those fleeing the Nazis.

• The Jewish Transit Point: Despite the official pro-Axis rhetoric of the time, Mallorca actually became a secret escape route for Jewish refugees.

• Turning a Blind Eye: Many local officials and residents often looked the other way, allowing families to move through the island toward safety in North Africa or the Americas.

• The Shadow of the Gestapo: It wasn't always safe, though. Nazi agents (including some who later, incredibly, worked in the early Mallorca tourism industry!) were constantly monitoring hotels for "enemies of the Reich."

💡 In Conclusion: A History Written in Stone

For those of us who live here, Mallorca’s history isn't just a collection of dates—it’s something we see every time we look at the horizon or walk past a centuries-old wall. Understanding that Mallorca was not occupied in WWII is just the beginning; the real story is in the layers of spies, secret beach bunkers, and the silent coastal batteries that still guard our shores.

If you’re a fellow history buff and want to see the evidence for yourself, the island has some incredible "off-the-beaten-path" spots where this era comes to life. You can explore the Vickers cannons and military models at the Museu Militar de Sant Carles or look through the incredible 1940s aerial surveillance photos curated by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands.

The "Real Mallorca" is more than just sun and sand—it's a story of survival, strategy, and secrets. We hope this guide helps you see the island through a slightly different lens on your next visit!

If you liked this history article then be sure to check out the Bellver Castle and more captivating history

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• Best Beaches in Mallorca

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• Things to Do in Mallorca

• Travel Guide

Happy holidays and ¡nos vemos en la isla! 🌞