THE VOLUNTEERS FOR SPAIN - 1936 - 1939 (Addans)(A Work Completed))
Now due to my ageGoing on 67
I were alive when
When Franco was still alive
I were in my 20's
Back in the 1970's I marched through London against Franco
The last of the Fascists leaders
Leaders of the 1930's and through the 1940's - Franco - into the 1970's
Marched with the few survivors of the British International Brigade volunteers
Who had joined The International Brigade
Made there way to Spain over the Pyrenees
There were not many left by then of course
Not just that time had thinned their ranks
Six hundred went into battle - over three hundred fell
The wounded killed out of hand
They volunteered not 'cos they were brave as such
Talking nay rather listening to them
They had fear in them, most if not all had family members with experiences of
The Great War - World War One that is
One said of Spain : ' Bricking it all the time I was in Spain! ' ; translation:
' I - we were shiting ourselves - all the time we were there!'
His comrades nodded their agreement
' Our greatest fear were what would happen if the elected republican government lost '
' and Franco and his fascists won - and with him - Hitler - Mussolini - won! ' - fear of That - gave us the will to fight on! ' ; his comrades as one nodded their agreement
' And you know what happened! '
' The ' Democratic ' governments - trumpeted '' non intervention! '' ; ' Bastards! '
' All of ' 'em! '
Should that happen again - I hope that my fear of Fascism - will give me the Courage to overcome my fear of going into battle!
There are dally battles to be a part of - in those battles I will do my bit!
To warn others of what is coming!
Among the first to die while serving in The International Brigade. Were the British poet, John Cornford died while fighting the Fascists at Lopera, near Corboba. Great great grand son of Darwin - yes - THAT - Darwin - He were just 21.
Ken D Williams
The Dyslexic Wordsmith Of Thanet
An Addendum Follows Below:
The Spanish Civil - 1936 - 1939
World War Two - 1939 - 1945
The above work is of The British Volunteers Of The International Brigade. As josephus says, The International Brigade were truly International. Volunteers came from all over the world to fight all prepared to die fighting against fascism and tyranny that were rising established in Italy and of course in Germany. Americans and Canadians volunteered to join the fight the war against fascism in Spain. Beige (white) and Afro-Americans lock arms, marched side by side. Died side by side in Spain. Knowing the reasons why.
I watched a documentary on The Lincoln Battalion made by the great:
U S A - P B S
In that American volunteers said The Best members of the Brigade were
The Italian and the German volunteers, WHO WERE FULLY aware of what fascism WAS ALL ABOUT! They were by far the most disciplined, the most focused of all the International Brigadiers. Woman plaid a significant roll in the Brigade.
The brigade had volunteers right across the divide - classes. Instantly there were - NO division. ALL had one goal, that goal the defeat of fascism. As all know all to well, that there home country's fascism were HAD risen!
Now as josephus said, the volunteers went to Spain with out the support of there own country's governments. Many were stopped from going by there governments, some more than a few arrested! The volunteers had to make there own way climbing The Pyrenees mountains.
The Government of Spain were democratic elicited, yet the Weston governments were in a '' none intervention '' mode. The only support be it be look worm support was - The Soviet Union.
The defeat of the democratic government of Spain at the estimated 3 + million deaths. was to lead to the 80 + million deaths in WW2!
I have written a VERY short history of The Spanish Civil War and the International Brigade!
Ken D Williams
The Dyslexic Wordsmith Of Thanet
Poetry by ken d williams
Read 352 times
Written on 2020-01-12 at 14:30
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
|
josephus |
