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Behind the Mountains. Spain's topography is a formidable military asset. Franco has built a defense in depth in the Pyrenees. Mountain passes are studded with pillboxes. Airfields have been built against the day when they might be used by bombers the air force does not possess. Although some have good to excellent concrete runways (Barcelona and Seville: 5,000 ft.; Madrid: 10,000 ft.), they do not yet add up to enough landing room for a big air force. But Spain has also many natural airfields, such as "La Mancha" plateau, legendary home of Don Quixote, a barren tableland south of Madrid, 120 miles long and 60 miles wide. And in the northwest port of El Ferrol, one of the best natural naval bases in Europe, Spanish engineers are hewing submarine shelters out of solid rock, building a 1,090-ft. drydock which can float an Essex-class carrier.
Just as its soldiers are deficient in modern weapons, so Spain's terrain lacks efficient communications. Spain's railway system is a sad tangle of lumpy roadbeds and worn-out rolling stock. The country needs at least $300 million for rail repairs. Realistically, it has little hope of a general military agreement with the Atlantic powers; Spain resents Great Britain for Gibraltar, regards France as Communist-ridden and degenerate, though these nationalist sentiments might fade if its West European neighbors were to accept it as an ally. Spanish military men have more hope of swinging a deal for direct aid from the U.S. Asked last week whether Spain would welcome U.S. military aid, a Spanish colonel answered: "Welcome? We are hungry for it!"