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INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE MEMORIAL TRUST

Patrons Ken Livingstone www.international-brigades.org.uk Paul Preston Charity no.1094928 Issue 18 / October 2007

INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE MEMORIAL TRUST 37 Reginald Road, London E7 9HS Tel/fax: 020-8555 6674 Email: [[email protected]] Life President: Jack Jones Chair: Sam Lesser Secretary: Marlene Sidaway Treasurer: Nick Moreno Committee Members: Gerry Abrahams, Mike Arnott, Richard Baxell, John Callow, Geoff Cowling, Jack Edwards, Pauline Fraser, Mary Greening, Mick Jones, Jim Jump, Dolores Long/Hilary Jones, Manus O’Riordan, Alan Warren

he recent destruction of our memorial plaque on Hill 705 (see photo below) Thas been occupying our minds a lot Billy Bragg (above) sings and (left) but, when Ian Walters’ statue of Nelson Dolly West assists Penny Feiwel as Mandela was placed in Parliament Square, I she lays a wreath at the memorial. was reminded of his earlier bust of Mandela outside the Royal Festival Hall which was subject to many attempts at destruction by Memorial day at Jubilee Gardens the BNP. Ian repaired it straight away each time, finally re-casting it in bronze. The late This year’s ceremony at Jubilee Roman Marquez, one of only Spain to practice their later bom- Tony Banks who, with Ken Livingstone, was Gardens, London, was particularly three surviving militiamen and bardment of Britain and made the responsible for giving us the site of our moving, with Jack Jones welcom- women who took part in the events point that the last battle of the memorial in Jubilee Gardens, said: “If you ing the large crowd and Sam in Catalonia and Aragon in 1936, Spanish Civil War should always repair something immediately, vandalism is Lesser giving a rousing speech, thanked all of those who had vol- be regarded in history as the first of less likely to continue”- a lesson to us all! singling out Worthing for its recent unteered to go to the aid of his the Second World War. We are very grateful for the support that the commemoration before reading country. With emotion, he remind- We welcomed Harald and Enrico government and local councillors in Catalonia “The Volunteer” with the clarity ed us all how deeply his country- from the friends group in Berlin. have given. They were quick to condemn the and passion which only he can men fighting for the Republic val- Their presence, and the reading of desecration, and to arrange for the graffiti to be invoke. ued the sacrifices and bravery of the poem “The Thaelman removed and the plaque replaced. We have Dolores Long read the names of volunteers who went to a strange Battalion” reminded us of “the also been very fortunate to have Angela all those Brigaders we had lost in country knowing little of the lan- other Germany” and the 3,000 Jackson, in particular, and Rachel Ritchie and the last year, and before the guage or the dangerous journey Germans who fought in Spain. Anna Marti working so hard on our behalf over minute’s silence, Bernado involved, prepared to die for an It was good too to see trade union there. They have liaised with the local Fernández laid a wreath on behalf ideal, and to help the Spanish peo- banners raised beside our own, a authorities, with the plaque manufacturers and of the Spanish Embassy, and ple in their hour of need. symbol of the support and encour- with the police and press. We should now be Penny Feiwel and Dolly West laid Geoff Cowling spoke of Hitler’s agement they have given us. able to re-dedicate the plaque on 10 November. one on behalf of the Trust. bombers who used the skies of Finally, our great friend and sup- I look forward to seeing many of you at the porter Billy Bragg spoke of his per- annual general meeting on 13 October. sonal interest in Spain, and his Lynda Walker and the team in Belfast have commitment to our cause, before been working very hard to make the weekend a leading the singing of “Jarama” success and to have their own memorial ready and the rousing “Internationale” for that day. the last notes of which rang out Finally, many thanks to Gerry Abrahams who over Jubilee Gardens before the has developed the Newsletter into one of the rain came down, and we scuttled to most valuable assets of our organisation. We the Travel Inn for lunch. can never thank her enough and I hope she will Marlene Sidaway continue as a vital member of the committee. Devastating scene at Hill 705 in the Sierra de Pandols where the ● DVDs of the event are available Salud, memorial has been daubed with graffiti, and the British and Lister for £8 (free to Brigaders) from Marlene Sidaway plaques removed (full story on page 5). Marlene Sidaway (details on left). IBMT 3-07:IBMT 2006-2 28/9/07 12:48 Page 2

Brief notes

Christopher Caudwell plaque: A plaque is “Memories of a Future” by Margaret Dickinson in the Labour Hall, Lyndhurst Road: Tom Elliott, being unveiled at the Atlantic Inn, Porthleven, on and Pepe Petos (with film of 2006 Pyrenees walk) Chris Thornycroft, James Jump, Frederick Saturday 20 October, the centenary of the birth of are not on until 9 March 2008. More details later. Cronshaw and Edmond Updale. Tom Elliott was Christopher St John Sprigg who stayed there for a branch secretary of Worthing Labour Party and 11 weeks, from August to October 1937, com- Event planned as part of “Vamos” festival: was killed at Jarama in June 1937, aged 28. His pleting his classic work, “Illusion and Reality: a Martin Ellis, who published George Wheeler’s niece, Veronica Cousins, and Worthing Mayor Study of the Sources of Poetry.” When he was book “To Make the People Smile Again”, is plan- Heather Mercer unveiled the plaque on 7 July. there it was a guest house, “Atlantic View”, ning an event as part of the Latin American owned by Mr & Mrs Matthews. Christopher Festival, “Vamos”, on Tyneside from 4 -13 July, Competition winner for Benissa memorial: The Sprigg was afterwards killed in the Spanish Civil 2008. There will be readings from George competition to select the sculptor of the memorial War when fighting with the International Brigade Wheeler’s book and from other publications. to the International Brigades in Benissa, which in February 1937. His book was published Martin would particularly like to hear from any attracted 15 entries, has been won by Rafael posthumously a couple of months later under his members willing to take part, especially those Carrio, who has already won various prizes for nom de plume, “Christopher Caudwell”. The cer- with connections to Brigaders in the North East, his work and has had many exhibitions. The emony will take place at 3pm and will be fol- Spanish refugees, and those in the Aid Spain memorial will be in a green zone of Casa Feliu in lowed by an address by Dr Alan Kent on the liter- movement. Contact him at 0191-276 2425 or the Avenue of Pais Valencia on the N332 from ary significance of his work. Tea and refresh- email [[email protected]]. Calpe. The house was the site of an International ments will then be available. All are welcome to Brigades Hospital during the war and the design attend; arranged by James Whetter, email Len Crome Memorial Lecture 2008: Details of incorporates the three pointed star of the [[email protected]]. the Len Crome lecture at the Imperial War International Brigades, the cross of the medical Museum are not yet fixed, but the date will be services, and two open doors which represent the Christopher Caudwell conference: There will either 1 or 8 March, 2008. See the next issue for a welcome and recognition given to the be a one-day conference on Saturday 20 October, definite date. International Brigades by the people of Benissa. 10am to 5pm, celebrating the centenary of Christopher Caudwell entitled “Politics into Barcelona 2008: The Amigos in Spain are plan- Sponsored cycle trip to Barcelona: Charles Culture” at the Charity Centre, Euston, organised ning a commemoration of the withdrawal of the Jepson has told us about a proposed 70th anniver- by the Marx Memorial . Admission is free, International Brigades in Barcelona in November sary Clarion Cycling Club ride from Glasgow to but tickets need to be booked and can be obtained next year. More details in the next issue. Barcelona starting provisionally on 23 July 2008. from Marlene Sidaway. The money raised from sponsorship is being Worthing commemorations: Worthing has seen offered to the IBMT. It is intended that the cycle No Jubilem La Memòria events at Marçà on two commemorations in recent months. The first event will visit UK cities which have IB memori- 9/10/11 November will include the re-dedication was at Beach House, which was home to 60 als and possibly conduct publicity at each one. of the British Battalion memorial on Hill 705 on Basque children in 1937. A plaque, paid for by the This may involve IBMT members coordinating Saturday 10 November (full programme on page Basque Children of ’37 Association, was to meet the cyclists and maybe even find places to 5), unveiled by María Teresa Grijalba who was only sleep overnight. The other organiser of the trip, 14 when she stayed at the house, having travelled IBMT member Sid Sherriff, is proposing to have “Jews in the Spanish Civil War”, the extraordi- from Spain in the overcrowded SS Habana. a meeting with interested members at some point nary story of the large number of Jews who vol- María, now 85, travelled from her home in during our Belfast annual general meeting, and a unteered to join in the struggle against Fascism, Venezuela to be at the ceremony on 23 May. She full list of the towns/ cities to be visited will be will be told in an evening of film, music, mem- said she would never forget the kindness of available then. Committee member Alan Warren oirs, and a lecture given by Dr Richard Baxell on English people after escaping starvation and has volunteered to drive a minibus to Barcelona to Wednesday 21 November at 7.30pm. It is hoped death in her civil-war stricken country. Jim look after the cyclists. For further information that some of our Brigade veterans will also be Jump’s father, James, was a journalist in contact Charles Jepson at [[email protected]] there. The event is organised by the Spiro Ark in Worthing before going to fight in Spain, and his or Sid Sherriff at [[email protected]] collaboration with George Fokschaner; venue: mother was one of the Spanish adult helpers at 25-26 Enford Street, London W1; bookings 020- Beach House, who had also arrived on the Historic walk planned for 2008: La Columna 7723 9991; £8. Habana. Bill Thornycroft’s family, his mother and Ay Carmela groups are planning a walk cov- and sister, were at the time very involved in the ering the Great Retreats of April 1938 based on London Socialist Film Co-op: Take a look at Aid Spain movement and his brother, Chris, was Walter Gregory’s account in “The Shallow their website for films at the Renoir, Brunswick an International Brigader. Bill has been working Grave” from 18 to 20 April 2008. The plans are Square WC1 [www.socialistfilm.blogspot.com]. for several years on this project and also one to still in the early stages, but it is likely to end up at Their Spanish Civil war-linked films: Yoav honour the five men from Worthing who volun- Marçà. More information in the next issue. Segal’s “The Battle of Cable Street” and teered for Spain. Their names are now on a plaque Marlene Sidaway

This is my last issue as editor of the IBMT Newsletter. It has been a great privilege to edit the IBMT Newsletter Newsletter from the first issue until now, six years on. Over those years we have reported on the news Editor: Geraldine (Gerry) Abrahams and events here and abroad of interest to the organisation and its members, and I hope we have Email: [[email protected]] always done so with integrity. The Newsletter will now be in the capable hands of Jim Jump, who has Production: Jim Jump been responsible for production over these years, and I know he will continue to reflect the needs and Email: [[email protected]] opinions of the membership. Many thanks to everyone for helping make the Newsletter a voice for democracy.

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President’s message

ur annual Jubilee Gardens down and the area defaced with commemoration this year graffiti. But such immaturity, I’m glad Owas a great success, with to say, will not be tolerated by the our good friend Billy Bragg local authorities there and they have providing terrific musical pledged to speedily replace it, and support, and we can look forward ensure its care. to a whole series of extraordinary In Spain this year we have had memorial events to mark the 70th anniversary some very successful events, with of the Spanish Civil War into next year and commemorative visits to Brunete, Belchite beyond. and the Ebro, keeping alive the memory of I am sad to report that our great American brave comrades, many of whom gave their Youngsters in period costume at the Berlin comrade and Brigader Moe Fishman passed lives for the cause in which we still so memorial. away recently and we pay tribute to his strongly believe and which has inspired our stalwart contribution, as we do to Ian Walters, Trust. 10th summer meeting the sculptor of our remarkable monument and We are looking forward to a great AGM in whose work continues to be celebrated with Belfast in October, when a new memorial will of Veterans & Friends of the unveiling of his Mandela statue in be unveiled and a good time will be had by all, Parliament Square, London. if I know the Irish! Everyone welcome – see the Spanish Republic It was also sad to see that the plaque you there! erected to the British Battalion volunteers ¡Salud ! Spanish Civil War veterans from Austria, who died at the Ebro was senselessly torn Jack Jones Estonia, Germany and Russia joined repre- sentatives from International Brigade organi- sations across Europe, at the invitation of the Veterans & Friends of the Spanish Republic (KFSR) in Berlin. Obituary The tenth Sommertreffen (summer meet- ing) of the German group took place from 7 to 9 September, attended by veterans, represen- tatives from Holland, Russia, Spain and Switzerland, and the IBMT. Moe American” organisation. It took a further two Visits were made to the new Bundestag Fishman decades before that fight was won. building, as guest of Dr Gesine Lotzsch of (left) with Over the years Moe led the Lincoln vets not only Die Linke, the new German Left Party, to the British in commemorating the Spanish Anti-Fascist War site of a former Nazi forced labour camp in veterans at but also in campaigning against today’s wars Berlin at Schoneweide and to the annual Jubilee through his own personally-driven work with flower-laying at the International Brigade gardens in Veterans for Peace. memorial in Berlin, where local teenagers 2004. Not only have so many of us met him at com- dressed in period costume explained the memorations in Spain itself, but we also have par- memorial’s significance. ticularly fond memories of his visit to Britain and “Brigadistas”, a film by Daniel Burkholz to Ireland in July 2004, when he spoke at both our commemorate the 70th Homenaje in October Moe Fishman Jubilee Gardens commemoration in London and 2006, was shown. It includes interviews with the unveiling of a new International Brigade memo- Bob Doyle and Moe Fishman, who sadly died We regret to record the death on 6 August of our rial in Waterford. It was only six weeks before his recently. New York comrade Moe Fishman (1915-2007). I death that I had an email from Moe enthusing about An English version should be available for first met Moe in Barcelona in 1988 for the unveiling the forthcoming Brigade Memorial in the United next year’s Jarama commemoration. of the first International Brigade memorial in post- States itself, on the San Francisco waterfront. This Saturday was dedicated to a conference dis- Franco Spain, sponsored by Moe’s own organisa- will indeed be a fitting tribute to Moe Fishman him- cussing the role of the POUM and the anar- tion, Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. self and to all his comrades in the struggle for a dem- chists in Barcelona, and the relationship A laundry worker and truck driver with a record ocratic Spain. between the Comintern and the International of working class struggle already behind him, Moe Manus O’Riordan Brigades. had gone to Spain to enlist in the George ●A note from Moe’s partner Georgia Wever: “Join That debate was heated and inconclusive. Washington Battalion in April 1937, and he went on us to honour the life and enduring contribution of An excellent evening’s concert reconciled to fight that July in the Battle of Brunete. It was there Moe Fishman, the voice of the Veterans of the rivals and the evening ended with everyone that Moe was to be wounded, leaving him with a Abraham Lincoln Brigade: music, speakers, mem- singing the songs of the Brigades. life-long limp. But this did not deter him from going ories, inspiration, and refreshments; all are invited; Pauline Fraser on to serve as a radio operator in the US merchant on Saturday 10 November, 10.30am, at Judson ● For more details, contact Pauline Fraser, marine during World War 2. Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, who represented the IBMT at the meeting in It was in 1950 that Moe emerged as Executive New York, NY10012; accessible entrance on Berlin. The full text of her report is on the Secretary/Treasurer of the Lincoln Vets, joining Thompson Street. Info: 212-989 8624. If anyone IBMT website: [www.international-brigades. Milt Wolff in leading its fight against the wants to come over, let me know and I will try to org.uk]. McCarthyite designation of them as an “un- find them a place to stay.”

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News from home…

On 21 August, David Some then visited Mosquito Ridge, site of very hard Cabrera contacted us to say fighting, and great losses for the Republic. that a few days earlier, the Bob visited an enactment site of the battle, and International Brigade was very well received when participants became memorial (right) on Hill 705 aware of a Brigader in their ranks. They gave him a in the Sierra Pandols to the machine gun to hold: the same type he had used in British and Irish who died in Spain as a Brigader. the Battle of the Ebro, which Bob also made a visit to the AABI (the Amigos) was unveiled in 2005, had offices, meeting volunteers and their president, been ‘’badly damaged and friend and comrade Anna Pérez, for a very emotion- desecrated with fascist al farewell. graffiti”. We are grateful for Many thanks to Sevi Montero and Allan Warren his vigilance, which for all their organising and work that made the allowed immediate action whole event possible. to be taken by both the Lyn Joe Hill authorities and by our friends there. This is Angela Perth and Blantyre memorials Jackson’s report of events and resolutions. Campaigns for memorials at Perth and Blantyre are ongoing and support is being sought from Angus Council for a Basque Children’s Plaque at Montrose, Scotland’s only “niño” colony. Dundee’s The good, the bad and the ugly: the Falange feel sufficiently insecure to take the commemoration of Brunete led to the discovery of Recovering the memory of the trouble to ascend a remote mountain track to attack an unknown photo of David Samson, one of two the symbol of that role.” Brigaders from the city who died there and costings civil war in Spain Nevertheless, every cloud has a silver lining. for amending errors on the Dundee memorial have The research being carried out to recover the mem- There have been many messages of support, both been obtained. The target is to have them completed ory of the civil war here in Spain has many facets. moral and practical, including an offer from the for a rededication in October 2008. There are good aspects, such as giving the victims Catalan government to pay for a replacement of repression a voice after so many years of silence. plaque. A re-dedication ceremony is planned for 10 Glasgow archive It’s also good to be told repeatedly, in dozens of November this year as part of the annual weekend interviews being recorded here with those who of events organised by the local group, No Jubilem On 4 July, IBMT members, Brigaders’ relatives and experienced the war at first hand, that the la Memòria, working together with the IBMT. It local researchers from across Scotland grasped with International Brigaders always treated local people will be a chance to show support for those who wish both hands the opportunity to meet Brigade with respect and were renowned for their generosi- to honour their dead in public remembrance; to turn archivist Jim Carmody at an informal evening of ty. an ugly incident into something more notable. discussion in the Scottish TUC Centre in Glasgow. The bad memories are, of course, still almost Angela Jackson As a bonus, Ciaran Crossey was able to join Jim as overwhelming; loss, persecution, exile… ● For full details of the November programme see both were in Glasgow investigating the collections However, this attack on the symbols of memory [www.nojubilemlamemoria.tk]. Further informa- held by city’s Caledonian University. Between and remembrance on Hill 705 – two plaques stolen tion on page 8. them they fielded a wide variety of questions, rang- and others defaced – strikes the beholder first and ing from which were the best Spanish archive foremost as abhorrently ugly; a manifestation of a Report from Brunete sources, to the use of aliases by Brigaders and the sickly disease, prone to erupt like boils on society’s places where volunteers were sent for their med- backside. A large contingent of IBMT members joined icals. Gerry Abrahams and Mike Arnott facilitated It remains unclear as to whether the vandalism Spanish comrades for events to commemorate the at what proved to be a hugely worthwhile experi- was carried out by “four or five kids from another 70th anniversary of the Battle of Brunete, just north ence for all involved. Thanks go to Jim and Ciaran, town – not politicians” as claimed by Pere Martí, of Madrid, on the weekend of 6/7 July. The main to the STUC for the use of the venue and to the mayor of the nearby village of Pinell de Brai, or guest was Bob Doyle, who attended all the events, Glasgow Trades Union Council for giving those by a more organised group. The slogan, “The and can only be described as a great ambassador for present access to the Glasgow IB Memorial Plaque. Falange Continues the Fight”, is certainly a clear the IBMT. political statement in support of fascism. The first event was a joint meeting on Friday La Niña Bonita It can’t have been easy to remove the heavy steel night, with Unesco, at their offices in Madrid city plaque bolted on to the wall, and few young people centre, with film, talk, food & drink. Unesco were “La Niña Bonita”, the Irish TV documentary based today could spray paint the ancient symbol of the very supportive of our aims, and their director on the memoirs of International Brigader Eugene “Victor”, adopted by Franco as his personal joined us on Saturday morning for an eight-mile Downing, can now be viewed on YouTube and can emblem. In addition, the use of a stencil to paint the walk along the battle field front, with songs along be accessed by clicking on “New Material” at fascist symbol of yolk and arrows belies any sug- the way. We had a break for water half way as it was [www.geocities.com/irelandscw] – Ciaran gestion that the perpetrators acted on the spur of the very hot, with no shade but very enjoyable, and Crossey’s “Ireland and the Spanish Civil War” web- moment. about 40 comrades completed the walk. site. Interviews are featured with a number of IBMT As Paul Preston has commented: “It’s a tribute to Arriving in Brunete we joined with the comrades relatives of deceased Irish Brigaders: Eugene’s own the role played by the International Brigades in the who couldn’t do the walk, and enjoyed an alfresco nephew Brendan Byrne, Michael O’Riordan’s son struggle for democracy in Spain that supporters of meal before a meeting in a local community centre. Manus, and Frank Edwards’s son Sean.

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…and abroad

Motion on International Brigades Park, Cardiff CF10 3AP, or contact him at [owain- sionism. They believe that victims from both the [email protected]] or phone 029-2022 8549. Nationalists and the Republicans should have equal at STUC The venues are as follows: claim to reparation. Ironically, the Law of Historical The Dundee Trades Council has agreed that one of Rhondda Heritage Park: 1 October-4 November Memory has been castigated by the political three motions to next April’s Scottish TUC Bridgend Ogmore Life Centres/ Berwyn descendents of Franco as “Orwellian”. So what Congress will be on the subject of the International Centre: 6-30 November exactly, if any, should the position of the Spanish Brigade. Possibilities include the 70th anniversary Caerphilly: 3-31 December Civil War be in the collective memory of the coun- of the withdrawal, support for campaigns for Swansea Pontardawe Arts Centre: 8-29 January try, the continent and the world? memorials, support for the annual general meeting Cardiff Temple of Peace: 30 January-12February This international, interdisciplinary conference which is likely to be in Dundee in 2008, request for of Wales Aberystwyth: 13 organised by the Welsh Centre for International more affiliations to the Trust etc. If you have any February-March. Affairs [in conjunction with Cardiff University] ideas please contact Mike Arnott at [dundee- seeks to examine representations of the War, and [email protected]]. Call for papers how they have helped create the image of the War we have today. The conference will analyse the Wise and Foolish Dreamers ● Spanish Civil War: History, Representation, often complex relationships between history and Memory memory, compare the differences between the vari- The exhibition on Wales and the Spanish Civil War ● An International Interdisciplinary Conference. ous “lies” and “truths” that have been articulated entitled ‘Wise and Foolish Dreamer’s is on the 9th-10th February, 2008 about the war and try to establish what version of move. Having been in Ammanford and at the ●Temple of Peace, Cardiff history we should remember. National Eisteddfod in Mold this summer, it will be Seventy years ago Spain was engulfed in a long and This event will also showcase the Wise and displayed at the Rhondda Heritage Park and venues bloody civil war, pre-empting a struggle which Foolish Dreamers Exhibition and other cultural in Bridgend and in Caerphilly before Christmas. At would erupt across Europe and the rest of the world. events that focus on Spanish Civil War. each of these a series of school workshops will be In decades since, the Spanish conflict has been end- Proposals are invited from any relevant discipline carried out by project co-ordinator Phil Cope, using lessly discussed, written about, and represented in and any theoretical framework. the DVD, book, posters and other material accom- countless literary, cinematic and visual works of art. Possible topics might include: panying the exhibition as stimulus for the students. The Spanish government declared 2006 the Year ●The cultural history of the war These materials are also available for sale to IBMT of Historical Memory and submitted a “law of his- ●The war in literature members and supporters. torical memory” to the country’s Congress for rati- ●The war on the screen The 148-page full colour book costs £10 (inc. fication. For the first time the mass killings commit- ●Women in the war postage and packing), and comes with a free copy of ted by General Franco’s fascist regime (1939-1975) ●Ideologies of the war the DVD. Alternatively, a set of six colour posters will be legally exposed as “unjust”, hopefully lead- ●The war in Spain today which reproduce the exhibition panels can be pur- ing to some form of reparation for the victims and ●Fighting fascism today chased for £5 (including p&p). Send your order their families. As expected, this law has caused ●Wales and the Spanish Civil War. with payment to: Owain Iorwerth, Welsh Centre for protests from right-wing conservative groups who Prospective speakers are invited to submit pro- International Affairs, Temple of Peace, Cathays see the proposed law as an effort at historical revi- posals of approximately 500 words, with a short CV, by 1 December 2007 to conference organisers at: [[email protected]]. Letter from the past Last November a highly significant letter was dis- covered in the Transport Union of America archives at New York University. Authored by Irish International Brigader Michael O’Riordan in April 1939 when he was a 21-year-old veteran of the Battle of the Ebro, it set out to provide a 24- page handwritten analysis of Irish history and con- temporary politics for his friend and comrade-in- arms, the New York International Brigader Bill Gandall. The letter also exchanged news of Spanish com- rades who had managed to flee Barcelona on the eve of the fascist conquest, only to experience the horrific and often fatal conditions of the French Republic’s internment camps. This fascinating document, together with an introduction by Mick’s son Manus O’Riordan, was published in full for the very first time in the July 2007 issue of “Irish Political Review”. Now it has also been made available at [www.geocities.com/ irelandscw/ibvol-MoR1939.htm], the “Ireland Bob Doyle with machine gun: see “Report from Brunete”. and the Spanish Civil War” website.

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Can you help?

If you do not have an email to reply to queries, anniversary of the first intervention of the contact Marlene and she will pass it on. Much of International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. Blinded by the additional information listed comes from the If anyone is a grandchild or knows of any British IB archive, via James Carmody, whose grandchildren of such couples, can they get in anti-communism work is much appreciated. touch with him at Público, tel: +34 660 39 95 96. “ The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936- ● Does anyone have any information on 1939” by Antony Beevor (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Herbert Hill, of Canadian nationality, born in ● Rebecca Dickson is looking for information 2006, £25) reviewed by Dr Helen Graham, Professor England on 10 April 1907, died at Gandesa about her grandfather Malcolm Dickson, who of Contemporary Spanish History, Royal Holloway, between 25 July and 5 August 1938? His niece, came from Glasgow and who left for Canada University of London Marlene Hill, would be grateful for any help. after World War 2. Contact her at [rebecca_ Contact her at [[email protected]]. [email protected]]. Weighing in at over 900 pages, military ● Steven Jauncey, of 37 Ashcombe Road, ● Enrico Hilbert, one of our German friends, historian Antony Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, is tells us that they have been working to build an Beevor’s new general researching those who volunteered from the encyclopedia about the volunteers from history of the Spanish West Country. He knows a little about Archie Germany for the past few years, and they need Civil War is a Dorran, killed at Jarama. Does anyone have help to “close some gaps”. They especially want bestseller in Spain. connections with any other International information about or photographs of German The English-language Brigaders from there? volunteers who went from Great Britain to edition, published on 1 Spain, or who stayed in Great Britain after the June of last year, has ● Mira Grossbard is trying to find out about her war. One example is Dr Herbert Carol also received much uncle, known as Bernard Jean “Jam” Frejtkes, Kretzschmar, originally from Plauen. After the media attention and at wounded in Huesca and died in Barcelona in war in Spain he emigrated across France to a relatively more manageable 526 pages, it too June 1937 aged 29. He was born in Poland and Great Britain and was arrested as an enemy established itself as a market-leader. After the named Jankiel Feidkes (Frejkes). He migrated foreigner. He published an article about the author’s previous blockbusting success with to France in the early 30s and volunteered to the effect of German explosive projectiles and “Stalingrad” (1998) and “Berlin: the Downfall” Dombrowski Brigade. Mira is looking for any because of that he was obliged to work in a (2002), there is, one might say, an identifiable details or written material in any language. military hospital, later working as a surgeon. In Beevor “product” which has a ready-made appeal Contact her at [[email protected]]. 1945, in London, he became a GP. He was a to a very large general audience. The product is member of the Communist Party. It is possible highly readable – for Beevor writes very well – and ● Chris Coates, a councillor in Lancaster, is that his wife and children still live in Great combines an original, archive-based take on the interested in finding Brigaders from Lancaster Britain. They would be very pleased to receive military dimension with an intelligent synthesis of and the surrounding area and Basque refugees. more information about him and about other the rest, culled from the publications of specialist Contact him at [[email protected]]. comrades, including Herbert Spinnler, Rudolf academic historians whose work would rarely Ehrlich, Egon-Kurt Burkert and Freddy Brand. otherwise reach the general reader, even in its ● Arturo Díaz, a journalist working for a new Enrico Hilbert thanks you very much for your country of origin. Spanish newspaper Público, has written to say efforts. If you can help, contact him at: Enrico “The Battle for Spain” follows this formula and that they are working on an article focusing on Hilbert, Kämpfer und Freunde der Spanischen in many respects the resulting work of synthesis the grandchildren of foreign Brigadistas and Republik 1936-1939 e.V., Gießerstraße 14, fulfils a useful function in giving a non-Spanish Spanish women to commemorate the 70th 09130 Chemnitz, Germany. reading audience with an interest in the civil war access to the findings of recent specialist research. This is particularly noteworthy in the case of complete, with suggested tariffs. Please contact Beevor’s treatment of the murderous Francoist IBMT membership me if you would like a form, whether it’s for a repression of the 1930s and 40s on which a huge continues to grow trades council, union branch, region or national leading edge bibliography has been produced by union. Spaniards over the last 25 years but almost none of At this year’s annual general meeting, I shall be A round of thanks is due to so many of our which has been translated into English. able to report that membership is now over 730, members for their willingness to help the Trust In terms of Beevor’s analysis of the war itself, he so our next target will be 800. Interest in the increase its finances. Many of you enclose a dona- is, as one might expect, most thought provoking on Brigades shows no sign of slackening over time. tion with your subscription when in a position to the military detail. There are many nice It shows how their example remains relevant in a do this, more than 140 have now completed the observations which bring alive the problems world still threatened by the dangers of fascism Gift Aid form we sent out with the summer ordinary soldiers faced. Much more controversial and attacks on democracy. We now have new Newsletter, and an increasing number of mem- is his negative assessment of Republican Chief of subscription rates: £15 (standard) and £7.50 (con- bers opt to pay by Standing Order. Staff, Vicente Rojo, considered by many cession). If you pay by cheque, you will receive a Please contact me if you would like a Standing commentators – including other military historians membership reminder with the Newsletter for the Order form. To those of you who don’t have a UK – to be the outstanding strategist of the war. Beevor part of the year in which your membership falls: bank account, many thanks for your understand- is critical of his military leadership, and considers February, June or September. ing in accessing the Newsletter online, or making him irresponsible to have engaged in “prestige A growing number of trade unions have affiliat- alternative arrangements to pay. This is greatly operations”, as the author describes the Republic’s ed to the Trust, and we have made it easier for appreciated. major diversionary attacks at Brunete, Belchite, them to do so, by producing a form for affiliates to Pauline Fraser Teruel and the Ebro. Certainly these proved costly

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Books etc

to the Republic in men and material. But such personnel problems they confronted. They were Beevor makes passing reference to the movement’s actions were vital to projecting an image of military equally bewildered by the complexity and diversity social and cultural hybridity but never draws any vitality and political will. Without them the of the Republican political scene which neither conclusions from this in terms of its political Republic’s foremost political leaders knew they they nor their Soviet masters ever really properly trajectory during the war, nor to its manifest and stood absolutely no chance of breaking the understood let alone controlled. In the end of obvious weakness when faced with the Casado international diplomatic deadlock that, in course, the Cold War view of the Spanish Republic coup that capsized Republican resistance in March perpetuating Non Intervention, was killing the at war is an imperialist one: “Spain” was a blank 1939. For a movement that purportedly controlled Republic. Indeed even Beevor’s technical canvas until written upon on by agendas of the everything in Republican Spain, the jobbing criticisms of the “prestige operations” often ignore great powers. The history of Republican Spain and historian is increasingly awash with evidence the profound and lasting effects of the arms the agency of its protagonists are entirely written (much of it courtesy of the Soviet archives) that shortages inflicted by Non Intervention. out of the script. indicates quite the opposite. Ultimately the But Beevor is much less interested in the Without any apparent sense of the absurdity of problem with Beevor’s quite relentless anti- devastation wrought by Non Intervention than he is the proposition, Beevor tell us that in August 1936 communism is the problem of all conspiracy views in Russian involvement with the Republic. He in Spain “the communists” were interested in of history: they can never do justice to the assumes rather than demonstrates that Republican building an army only because they judged that, complexity of how and why things happen. No military resistance was run by Soviet advisers. compared to the militia, it would be easier to doubt many communists at the time believed their Moreover, he sees the Second Spanish Republic at dominate. But in the apocalyptic conditions of party-movement’s rhetoric: that “history” was on war as virtually a Soviet satellite. But again, this is summer 1936, all of the Republic’s frontline their side, that theirs was the grand design. But that not a view sustained by his own substantial mining defenders were interested in building an army to belief is an historical phenomenon, while Beevor of newly available Soviet sources. Rather it is an fight Franco. For all had the most immediate and seems to mistake it for a methodology. article of faith, much as it has always been for Cold pressing of matters on their minds. Whether in Much counterfactuality also creeps in to War historians, from Burnett Bolloten to Ronald Mérida or Madrid communists, socialists, Beevor’s assessment, in spite of this being the Radosh, and to whose school Beevor clearly anarchists and republicans were absorbed body and historian’s cardinal sin. If Francoism was bad, he belongs. As with his predecessors, Beevor’s anti- soul by present danger: how might they insists that a victorious Republic, post-victory, communism at times blinds him to the evidence of conceivably offer a half way effective resistance to would have engaged in just as bloody a repression. his own material. Many of the reports filed by the the onslaught of the Army of Africa’s seasoned Once again, this isn’t so much argued, as stated and Republic’s Soviet advisors indicate their utter troops? Quite simply, how might they stay alive? assumed – indeed there isn’t even a passing powerlessness to affect military outcomes given Nor is the sociological complexity of Spain’s reference to the evidence/arguments to the material shortages and the huge organisational and wartime mass communism ever really explored. contrary available in several of the specialist texts the author cites in his own bibliography. Taken together, the implicit message of Beevor’s intense ideological anti-communism combined with his Women at war equally vehement criticism of Francoist barbarity would seem to be “a plague on both your houses”. Dr Bernice Archer (author of “The Internment of Western Civilians Under the Japanese 1941-1945”) This is not so very far removed from views reviews “Warm Earth”, a novel by Angela Jackson (Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie, Cambridge, 2007; £8.99; explicitly expressed by some elite British opinion- [www.pegasuspublishers.com] formers at the time. But for a widely read Angela Jackson’s “Warm Earth” is a fine and meticulously researched first novel which professional historian to be implying the same in views the Spanish Civil War through the eyes and experiences of three different but equally the 21st century is myopic and more than eager young British women who join the male-dominated International Brigade.The unfortunate, ignoring as it does the quite women’s individual and unique perspectives of that time tell a deeply moving story of high fundamental differences between the Francoist ideals, love, loss and heartbreak intertwined with extraordinary courage and comradeship. and Republican political projects. No doubt the Initially the women are partly motivated by the need to escape unfulfilled lives in a grey author would say that this is simply the current depressed England but also undoubtedly by the desire to “be of some help in Spain”. As reviewer’s own “article of faith”. But in fact these they become more deeply involved in the war they, and the reader, are introduced to the stark, painful, brutal differences are pretty much empirically verifiable reality as well as the political, social and emotional complexities that underpinned the “raison d’être” for the if one compares the judicial, social and economic Spanish Civil War and those who fought in it. practices of the Republican state at war (warts and Helping to feed the starving refugee children is heartbreaking. Learning to dodge the bombing in Madrid all) with the practices of Franco’s (emergent) new and cope with the constant tension is both exciting and frightening. Nursing the wounded, maimed and order. dying soldiers in the grossly understaffed and pitiably ill-equipped, lice-ridden, makeshift hospitals on the Ideological blind spots notwithstanding, Antony front lines is harrowing and shocking. Beevor’s book is worth read for its broad Inevitably the war left permanent emotional, mental and physical scars on these women and their synthesising coverage – although the reader should experiences changed them irrevocably. On returning to Britain, now itself at war with Germany, one of the beware of minor errors and gremlins that have women proclaims, “When I came back I felt as if I’d arrived on another planet and was speaking a different inevitably crept in, given the scale of the author’s language.” endeavour. The book’s real value, however, lies in Recognition and reconciliation, and to some extent, closure, arrives with the 60th anniversary Beevor’s thought-provoking military analysis. For celebrations of the war in Madrid in 1996. But clearly “Spain” was, is and will always be “engraved on the even if one disagrees with his conclusions, and hearts” of all the International Brigade. there are plenty of grounds for doing so, his “Warm Earth” is, however, far from a depressing book. It is about survival, courage, conviction and assessments will contribute to and stimulate wider commitment and is challenging, thought-provoking and up-lifting. interest in the complex ongoing debate over I was ashamed how little I knew of this relatively recent and bloody civil war, but pleased to have learned Republican military strategy and its political and so much about it and those involved in it in such an enthralling way. material constraints. And that is no bad thing.

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International Brigade Memorial Trust

Notice of Annual General Meeting in Belfast on Saturday 13 October 2007 and related events for the weekend of Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October

The IBMT annual general meeting will Programme 12-14 October 15:45: IBMT annual general meeting be held in the Grosvenor Hall, Friday 12 October 17:15: Dinner in the Grosvenor Hall 18:30: Linen Hall Library: Official opening of the 19:30: Europa Hotel: Guest Speakers: Marlene 5 Glengall Street, Belfast BT12 5AD at Spanish Civil War Exhibition: Welcome by John Sidaway, IBMT Secretary, Unite Ireland Regional 15:45 on Saturday 13 October 2007 Gray, Librarian, Linen Hall Library; Ciaran Secretary Jimmy Kelly (TBC); music and Crossey, Spanish Civil War historian; Peter entertainment compered by Martin Lynch: Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the Irish Brenda O’Riordan, Mel Corry and Pól Agenda Congress of Trade Unions MacAdaim, Tommy Sand, Paul (“The Brother”) 1. Chairman’s opening remarks McGuire, Gerry Jones & Friends. 2. Apologies for absence Saturday 13 October 3. Minutes of previous AGM 11:00: Unveiling of the memorial to “Los Sunday 14 October 4. Matters arising Internacionales” (commissioned by the 10:45: Bus tour of historic Belfast 5. Secretary’s report International Brigade Commemorative 14:00: The : Bob Crow, RMT 6. Membership secretary’s report Committee) by Bob Doyle, International Brigade General Secretary 7. Treasurer’s report veteran; introduced by Kevin Doherty, IBCC 8. Election of officers Secretary For further information contact: Lynda Walker, 9. Any other business 12:45: Grosvenor Hall, civic reception and public tel: 07751-951 785, email: [lyndaernest@ 10. Date and place of next AGM meeting btinternet.com]. For the IBCC: Kevin Doherty, 11. Chairman’s closing remarks – Welcome from the IBCC/IBMT by Pol tel: 07748-148 863 and Ciaran Crossey, email McAdaim, IBCC Chair [[email protected]]. For accommodation Information – Hazelwood Integrated College Choir and travel contact the Welcome Centre, tel: 028- For more information about the AGM contact – The Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers 9024 6609, email: [[email protected]]. Marlene Sidaway on 020-8555 6674 or – Jack Jones, International Brigade veteran [[email protected]]. – Guest speakers including family members of The IBMT AGM and events are being organised International Brigaders, Amaya Ruiz Ibárruri, by the IBCC and supported by the Belfast & Exhibition 8-24 October daughter of “La Pasionaria” (TBC) Dublin Trades Council, the Community Relation Exhibition in the Linen Hall Library of original – Conclusion: Patricia McKeown: ICTU Council, Belfast City Council, many trade unions, material, memorabilia, letters, newspapers and President and Unison NI Regional Secretary; tea trades councils, political parties and individuals photographs relating to the Spanish Civil War. and coffee who will be acknowledged in the programme.

No Jubilem La Memòria, 18:30: Casal de Marçà, inaugura- Back to Belchite 8 -11 November 2007, summary tion of the exhibition “Papers of provisional programme Prioratins de Salamanca”. International Brigade Thursday 8 November Sunday 11 November veteran Paddy 19:30: British Council, c/Amigó 83, La Torre de Fontaubella Cochrane was Barcelona; presentation of Angela 11:00: Inauguration of a plaque in recently back in Jackson’s novel, “Warm Earth” by the village cemetery in memory of Belchite exactly 70 Paul Preston (in English) and dis- the victims of the Battle of the Ebro years since he was play of the NJLM photographic buried in the nearby communal blown up by a fascist exhibition “Prelude to the Last graves. Some International Briga- grenade and left for Battle: The International Brigades ders are among the names on the list dead. His search for in the Priorat, 1938”. of the dead. the house in which he Friday 9 November 12:00: Sindicat, opening and intro- took cover and the 19:30: Sala Polivalent in Marçà; duction to the NJLM photographic man who saved his talk by Paul Preston (in Catalan) exhibition (see above) and display life are the subject of a “Corresponsals estrangers durant el of medical material used during the major article by Chris setge de Madrid i la caiguda de civil war. Haslam to be Catalunya”. 12:10: Presentation (in Catalan) by published this autumn Saturday 10 November the president of the association, in the Sunday Times 12:00: Serra de Pandols, Hill 705, Victims of Franco’s Repression in magazine. re-dedication of the plaque in mem- Tarragona, Montserrat Giné. ory of the British and Irish 12:30: Talk (in Catalan) by Dr Joan International Brigaders who died in Mauri: “The Miracle of Blood the Battle of the Ebro (in collabora- Transfusion”. tion with the IBMT). 13:00: Closing words by Angela 14:00: Lunch in Gandesa. Jackson, NJLM president.

8 International Brigade Memorial Trust