51. Active defence in the Civil War: the anti-aircraft battery

51. Defensa activa en la Guerra Civil: la bateria antiaèria

The DECA (Special Anti-Aircraft Defence Unit) was tasked with the active defence of the city during the Civil War to repel or at least hinder attacks. The fascist bombing of Barcelona was the first time in history that a large city had been massively and repeatedly attacked from the air.

The DECA saw the Turó de la Rovira as the prime strategic location for anti-aircraft guns, although the meagre Republican resources made defending the city difficult. Construction of the battery began in 1937 and it came into service on 3 March 1938, operating until it was rendered unusable in 1939.