In July of 1936, Spanish generals, led by Francisco Franco attempted a coup to take over the government after the unrest in Spain after the elections of 1936. The coup was not complete, with many of the major cities' militias stopping it. The Nationalists, as the rebels became called, began a series of attacks in Spain and in Northern Africa, defeating the Republicans again and again. Germany and Italy airlifted over 50,000 troops into Spain, making it the first large-scale airdrop ever. France and Britain, not wanting German power to increase any further, sent their own troops and supplies into Spain, turning the tide of the war in the Republicans favor. The army led by Franco in Africa had seemed invincible until British and French troops virtually destroyed it in the battle of Gibraltar