UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN: 70th anniversary of Spanish civil war remembered in London by British volunteer fighters

Record ID: 206011

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN: 70th anniversary of Spanish civil war remembered in London by British volunteer fighters
  • Date: 16th July 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) BOB DOYLE, INTERNATIONAL BRIGADES VETERAN, SAYING: "It means everything, that's the flag we fought for."
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: War / Fighting,History
  • Reuters ID: LVA62S7R5MSITN0B5P2Q8IO33GQQ
  • Story Text: On the banks of the River Thames, in London a group of veterans gather to mark the 70th anniversar of a foreign war -- the Spanish Civil War -- which erupted on July 18, 1936.
    Frail and few in number, the veterans, who are mostly in their 90's, honoured their fallen comrades and remember the ideals they fought for --- freedom over fascism.
    Some 2,000 British men and women joined 35,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries. The International Brigaders left their homes, jobs and families to fight in defence of the left-wing Spanish Republican government battling an insurgency by right-wing fascist General Francisco Franco.
    The horrors of fighting in Spain may be seven decades in history now, but emotions amongst the International Brigades are still strong.
    Unfurling the brightly coloured Brigaders flag, 90-year-old Bob Doyle said in a hoarse voice, "It means everything, that's the flag we fought for."
    For the first time, a representative of the Spanish government, was in attendance at the annual Brigaders memorial service. Spanish Ambassador to the UK, Carlos Miranda, said Spain is finally making steps towards acknowledging the county's brutal past.
    "One can not forget, we have to look back. We have to consider what happened. Sometimes when the subjects are as difficult as this one, we need time, but I think we are now getting to this time," said Miranda.
    The conflict ended with the collapse of the Republic in 1939, ushering in an authoritarian right-wing dictatorship which lasted until Franco's death in 1975. To this day there is reluctance to face the fact that the brutal war pitted brother against brother, with atrocities committed by both sides.
    Often seen as the real start to World War II, the Spanish civil war became a symbol for international solidarity, inspiring trade-unionists, communists, intellectuals, humanitarians and simple adventurists to head to Spain in defence of the democratically elected government.
    "It's often called the last great cause, it remains a symbol of international solidarity," said Professor Paul Preston, who has written many books on the war. He added, "The sense of collective struggle of ordinary people going and fighting together on behalf of democracy still remains an example to this day."
    One of the young men who felt compelled to fight what they feared was the rise of fascism in Europe, was Lou Kenton, now 97-years old.
    He says Britain's fascist politician Oswald Mosley and his thuggish 'Black Shirts' supporters, terrorising the East End of London, prompted him to head to Spain to try and defeat the fascist movement.
    "Parts of the East End were no-go areas, the Black Shirts would beat people up. The hatred of fascism was very strong and we wanted to do what we could to help."
    With Franco supported by Hitler and Mussolini, and the Soviets backing the beleaguered Republicans, the civil war raged for three years. It ended with the collapse of the Republic in 1939, ushering in an authoritarian right-wing dictatorship which lasted until Franco's death in 1975.
    Kenton, an ardent trade-unionist, says he was "devastated" when Franco came to power.
    "Took me a long while to get over it. One of the saddest things you can imagine is a defeated army retreating," Kenton said.
    Thousands of refugees poured into France, bombed by Franco as they tried to cross the border. The wounded were everywhere. Spain was the first war where civilians were systematically targeted by Franco's army. A precursor to tactics used in World War II during the Blitz.
    The Brigaders were welcomed by Spaniards fighting Franco. Bibiano Morcillo, who was a twenty five year old soldier in the Spanish Army back in 1936, refused to defect to Franco's insurgency. He said of the International Brigaders, "I think the intervention and solidarity of foreigners was very good. It was said here that they earned their living by the sweat of their brow," he said.
    One the brave women who suffered the bombardments to treat the wounded is Briton Penny Fiewell. Now 98, she went to Spain as a young nurse, and treated wounded soldiers on the frontlines.
    For her, going to Spain was not a political decision, she says she had no interest in listening to Communist, or "red", rallying cries. Instead, all she wanted to do was help the wounded.
    "Someone said 'Spain is red' and I said 'Yes, it is red, it's red with blood, my nails are caked with it and there's blood stains right up to my arms, it's red with blood'."
    The numbers of civilian casualties is still hotly debated, with numbers ranging from 300,000 to up to a million.
    Welling up with tears, the 98-year old still gets emotional when she thinks of all the innocent lives that were lost.
    The conflict is still a raw topic for all who remember it -- Spaniards unwilling to accept that brother fought brother and for the International Brigaders who still feel angry their governments did not rally to help of a democratically-elected government.
    As they raise their fists and stridently sing their "Internationale" anthem, they hope the ideals they fought for so long ago, will not die with younger generations.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register