Jewish volunteers in the Spanish Civil War

Jewish volunteers in the Spanish Civil War refers to a large number of Jews who joined International Brigades and fought in the Spanish Civil War, which erupted on July 17, 1936 and ended on April 1, 1939.

History

The fighting was between the Republicans, who were loyal to the Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists, a rebel group led by General Francisco Franco. The Nationalists prevailed and Franco would rule Spain for the next 36 years. The coup was supported by military units in Morocco, Pamplona, Burgos, Valladolid, Cádiz, Cordova, and Seville. However, barracks in important cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Málaga did not join in the rebellion. Spain was thus left militarily and politically divided. The rebels, led by General Franco, then embarked upon an almost three-year war against the government for the control of the country. The rebel forces received support from the Third Reich, the Kingdom of Italy, and neighboring Portugal, while the Soviet Union and Mexico intervened in support of the Republican side. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, operated an official policy of non-intervention.

A minority of the Jewish population, particularly that of Europe, were active in socialist and Communist organisations in the period between the two World Wars.[1]

They made up a considerable portion of the socialist volunteers, with estimates putting the figure at over ten per cent.[2] Many of them joined the International Brigades and the Popular Front to fight in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Republicans. The leadership of the International Brigades considered forming an entirely Jewish brigade,[3] but the high casualties made this impossible. However, a Jewish company, the Naftali Botwin Company, was formed within the Palafox Battalion.

National origin of volunteers

The table below displays the national origin of the Jewish volunteers in the International Brigades.

Nationality Number of volunteers[4]
Poland 2,250
United States 1,250
France 1043
Palestine 500
Germany 400
Britain 200–400
Belgium 200
Austro-Hungary 120–150
Canada 71
Soviet Union 53

Notable figures


References

  1. Karin Hofmeester and Lee Mitzman, Jewish Workers and the Labour Movement, 2004
  2. Hugh Thomas The Spanish Civil War, 2001. p. 577n3
  3. Zaagsma, p 17
  4. Sugarman, Martin. "Against Fascism – Jews who served in The International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War" (PDF). Jewish Virtual Library/Jewish Military Museum. p. 122. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  5. Levine, Allan E. "Bert "Yank" Levy". American National Biography on line. Oxford University Press. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  6. Levy, Bert "Yank"; Wintringham, Tom (Foreword) (1964) [1942]. Guerilla Warfare (PDF). Paladin Press. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  7. "Jewish War Heroes" (Comic book). Canadian Jewish Congress. February 1944. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  8. "Fare thee Wellman". Detroit Metro Times.

Further reading

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