XIII International Brigade

The 13th International Brigade – often known as the XIII Dąbrowski Brigade – fought for the Spanish Second Republic during the Spanish Civil War, in the International Brigades. The brigade was dissolved and then reformed on four occasions.

XIII International Brigade
Dąbrowski Brigade
Active1936–1939
CountryPolish, Spanish, Hungarian and Balkans
Allegiance Spain
Branch International Brigades
TypeMixed Brigade – Infantry
RoleHome Defence
Part of14th and 35th Division (1937)
45th Division (1937–1938)
35th Division (1938–1939)
Garrison/HQAlbacete
Nickname(s)Brigada Dombrowski
EngagementsSpanish Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Wilhelm Zaisser
Vincenzo Bianco
Józef Strzelczyk
Mihail Kharchenko
Boleslaw Molojec

1st Formation

The brigade was first mustered at the International Brigade headquarters in Albacete in December 1936.[1] The custom was to name Brigades on formation after inspirational "heroes of the Left". The 13th Brigade was named after Jarosław Dąbrowski, a Polish general who died on foreign soil, fighting in the defence of the Paris Commune in 1871. It consisted of three battalions, and three artillery batteries.

This brigade mutinied after receiving heavy casualties the Battle of Brunete in July 1937 . Its battalions were dissolved, the men were sent to other units, and its equipment was re-distributed.

2nd Formation

The brigade was reformed on 4 August 1937, from Central European battalions. It again used Jarosław Dąbrowski as its exemplar.

It was dissolved on 23 September 1938, along with the other International Brigades, when the Negrin Government took the decision to send foreign volunteers home. This decision was taken after pressure from the Non-Intervention Committee to remove all foreign volunteers from both sides of the conflict in an endeavour to de-internationalise it. Negrin acquiesced because he believed the Nationalists would send their foreigners home too.

3rd formation

The brigade was again reformed (in Monredón) on 1 October 1938 from exclusively Spanish conscript battalions.

4th formation

In mid-January 1939, in Palafrugell, Catalonia, a group of Polish and Balkan volunteers requested permission of André Marty to return to fight the Nationalists' Catalonia Offensive. On 23 January, they were formed into the XIII International Brigade. It was placed in charge of a young second lieutenant. The unit soon fell apart.[3]

Brigade Staff

Brigade Commanders:

Chiefs of Staff:

  • Albert Schreiner "Schindler" (German)

Brigade Commissars:

  • Ferry (Italian)

See also

References
  • Hugh Thomas, The Spanish Civil War
  • Cecil Eby, Comrades and Commissars, 2006.
  1. Hugh Thomas, The Spanish Civil War
  2. Tremlett, Giles (2020). The International Brigades. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 385. ISBN 978-1-4088-5398-6.
  3. Eby, Comrades and Commissars, p 415
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.