During the Spanish Civil War, between 1936 and 1938, the International Brigades—made up of anti-fascist volunteers from 53 different countries—fought against General Franco’s anti-republican forces.
The International Brigades (IB), composed of anti-fascist volunteer fighters from many countries, were established by decree of the Spanish government on October 22, 1936.
The goal: to come to the aid of the Spanish Republic, which was in danger. After a brief training period, the first units took part in the defense of Madrid, which had been under siege by the troops of Nationalist General Franco since November 8.
The volunteers’ motivations were varied: for example, Italians, Germans, and Hungarians, who came from totalitarian countries, continued the anti-fascist struggle in Spain. For the French, in addition to geographical proximity, the bond of solidarity between the French and Spanish Popular Fronts was a key factor.
The left and the far left are well represented.
The French brigadists make up the largest group. The volunteers are organized by language: the Franco-Belgians are grouped in the Commune de Paris Battalion, while the Poles, Czechs, and Hungarians are grouped in the Dombrowski Battalion (which includes the Naftali Botwin Company, composed of Jews).
In early 1937, the International Brigades suffered enormous losses during the Nationalists’ encirclement of Madrid. In the war’s final defensive phase, they attempted to reestablish contact with Catalonia.
The Spanish Republican government, hoping to end the civil war and secure the lifting of the arms embargo, implemented the League of Nations’ decision and disbanded the International Brigades on September 21, 1938.
It was all in vain; as victims of “non-intervention,” the Republicans lost the war on March 28, 1939, to the Spanish Nationalist forces backed by the German Nazi Hitler and the Italian fascist Mussolini.
There were approximately 35,000 militiamen throughout the civil war. 15,000 were killed.
While many surviving brigadistas returned to their home countries, many others, who came from fascist countries, joined the Spanish People’s Army. In 1939, with the fall of Catalonia, they sought refuge in France. Like the half-million Spaniards fleeing Franco’s repression, they were interned in the camps at Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-Cyprien, Agde, and Gurs. Immediately after the armistice of June 22, 1940, the German and Austrian brigade members were handed over to the Nazis.
During the German Occupation of France, drawing on their military experience in Spain, members of the Brigades became active leaders in the FTPF and the FTP-M.O.I.
Reference:
Jacques Delperrié de Bayac, 1968, *The International Brigades*, Paris, Fayard.
