Gibraltar, is an area
at the north-west end of the Rock of Gibraltar. A low sandy area attaches
it to mainland of Spain. Captured from
the Spanish by Admiral Sir George Rooke in 1704 Gibraltar was ceded
to Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).
The Spanish attempted to occupy Gibraltar in 1727, 1739 and 1779.
Spanish demands for the return of Gibraltar were resumed by General
Francisco
Franco
in 1939.
During the Second
World War Gibraltar became an important British naval base as
it guarded the narrow entrance to the Western Mediterranean from the
Atlantic Ocean. As a result it was frequently bombed by the Luftwaffe.
It was also attacked by the airforce of the Vichy
regime in reprisal for the British attacks on the French fleet in
July 1940.
The Allies were aware that
Gibraltar could not be defended against an attack from Spain.
However, Francisco
Franco
did not join the Axis powers and the invasion never materialized.
After the surrender of Italy in September
1943, the base was never seriously threatened.
Spain has constantly argued
that Gibraltar belongs to them. In 1967 a referendum was held and
the Gibraltarians chose British rule by 12,138 votes to 44.
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