Franco's International Brigades: Adventurers, Fascists, and Christian Crusaders in the Spanish Civil War - Softcover

Othen, Christopher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1849042470 ISBN 13: 9781849042475

Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2013

Synopsis

Foreign volunteers fought on behalf of General Franco and the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War for a right-wing cause whose aim was to smash democracy. These assorted adventurers, fascists, and Catholic crusaders were on the winning side, but their role has remained strangely hidden until now. Men from Portugal and Morocco signed on for money and adventure. General Eoin O'Duffy organised 700 Irishmen in a modern Crusade; 500 Catholic Frenchmen fought in the 'Jeanne D'Arc' unit; and thirty British volunteers, including aristocrats and working-class fascists, also took up arms. Romanian Iron Guard extremists died at Majadahonda and an Indian volunteer fought in the fascist militia. There were Russians, Americans, Finns, Belgians, Greeks, Cubans, and many more. Goose-stepping alongside the volunteers were fascist conscripts from Germany and Italy, in training for the next world war. Foreigners, whether unknown individuals like British pilot Cecil Bebb or infamous figures like the German dictator Adolf Hitler, were essential to Franco's victory. Without Bebb who flew General Francisco Franco from the Canary Islands to Spanish Morocco in 1936, a journey which was to precipitate the onset of the Spanish Civil War the war would never have started; without Hitler, Franco would never have won.

About this title

Review:

'Othen is a clear and thoughtful guide to this odd aspect of the war and commendably avoids editorialising.' ----The Tablet

'Adventurers, Fascists, and Christian Crusaders in the Spanish Civil War'. White Russians, British conservatives, Romanian fascists and countless individuals looking for the thrills of combat were among them. Christopher Othen uncovers their history in a highly readable, often entertaining manner.' ----Budapest Times

'. . . A worthwhile and fascinating account of what went on behind Franco's lines and an insight to how the man thought with his ability not be influenced by foreign involvement whilst successfully utilising their resources for his own personal objectives.' ----Books4Spain.com

From the Author:

Christopher Othen studied Linguistics and Literature at university, and Law at postgraduate level. Othen has worked as a journalist, legal representative for asylum seekers and English language teacher.

About this edition

• Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1849042470
• ISBN 13: 9781849042475
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256