on 31 march 1937, the nationalist forces, led by emilio mola, started the offensive against the republican held, vizcaya province. mola said that: "i have decided to terminate rapidly the war in the north: those not guilty of assassinations and who surrender their arms will have their lives and property spared. but, if submission is not immediate, i will raze all vizcaya to the ground, beginning with the industries of war". the same day the nationalists bombed the towns of durango and elorrio.