BRITONS IN SPAIN

A history of the British Battalion of the XVth International Brigade, of the two thousand British volunteers who fought, bled and died on Spanish soil between August 1936 and December 1938. The killed and missing numbered five hundred, the wounded over twelve hundred; many were incapacitated for life. Less than eight hundred remained in the ranks when the withdrawal took place. Their story is one of breathless bravery, wonderful comradeship and mighty achievements. Asking for no reward they fought for freedom, democracy and peace. And they accomplished much.

In compiling this history I have had access to the official documents of the International Brigade, and I have also drawn on The Book of the 15th Brigade, edited by Frank Ryan, and published by the Commissariat of War of the 15th Brigade in February 1938. I have also been guided by my own observations as correspondent of the Daily Worker in Spain from November 1937 to June 1938. But my chief source has been the stories of the men themselves, as recounted to me both in Spain and in England. In addition I have closely studied hundreds of the letters sent home by the men and which were so kindly lent to me by their relatives. I have thus been able to write a history, with what success the reader can judge, drawn from the experiences and feelings of the volunteers themselves, and using as far as possible their own words. Hence the many quotations.

William Rust, editor, Daily Worker

Dettagli