Description
Object description
British volunteer served as interpreter and postman with XV International Bde Training Base at Tarazona de la Mancha, Spain, 9/1937-3/1938; machine gunner served with Machine Gun Coy, XV International Bde in Spain, 3/1938-10/1938
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1934-1937: membership of Public Schools' Anti-War and Anti-Fascist Movement in GB, 1934; joining Grenadier Guards, 1934; travelling and working in central Europe; impressions of Nazi Germany; question of volunteering for International Bdes in Prague, Czechoslovakia; background to joining International Brigade in London, 8/1937. Aspects of period as volunteer with XV International Bde at Tarazona de la Mancha Training Base and Research Department of Albacete Post Office in Albacete in Spain, 9/1937-3/1938: arrival in Spain, 27/9/1937; training at Tarazona de la Mancha; contracting pneumonia; translation work and transfer to postal work with Research Department of Albacete Post Office in Albacete, 2/1938-3/1938; question of number of international volunteers serving; view of mural painted by volunteer at Tarazona de la Mancha; opinion of marmalade. Recollections of period as machine gunner with Machine Gun Coy, XV International Bde in Spain, 3/1938-10/1938: character of move to Mora la Nueva on Ebro front, 3/1938; memories of André Marty.
REEL 2 Continues: lack of knowledge of battalion commanders; story of attempt to rescue volunteer from River Ebro; in machine gun position at Asco including find cache of olive oil, 5/1938; preparing for action at Lerida; period in reserve in Chavola, 5/1938-7/1938; entertainments; recieving visit from Jawaharlal Nehru, 6/1938; display of gunnery skills; attempt to integrate Spanish Republican Army units into International Bdes; formation and aims of 'activist movement'; daily rations.
REEL 3 Continues: building lecture theatre; leave in Barcelona; availability of newspapers; character of various Soviet and Spanish rifles and machine guns used; description of Maxim Machine Gun; move into line for Ebro Offensive and address by Karol 'General Walter' Świerczewski; performance of play 'Waiting for Lefty' by Lincoln-Washington Bn; crossing River Ebro; sight of Nationalist prisoner of war column; problem with lice and footwear; kit worn and rations carried; route march to Gandesa; reconnaissance of Hill 481, 27/7/1938.
REEL 4 Continues: sustaining ankle wound at Hill 481, 27/7/1938; acquisition of captured Nationalist rations; evacuation by ambulance and request by driver for him to drive; evacuation to Barcelona; hospitalisation in Barcelona; breaking out of hospital and visit to restaurant; story of visiting 'black-market' restaurant; conditions in Barcelona; return to battalion,; trenches; eating mule meat; artillery tactics against air attacks; reaction to news of withdrawal of International Bdes, 9/1938; composition of his platoon; character of his Spanish recruits; deployment into final positions; morale in under strength unit; under Nationalist artillery and aerial bombardment; nature of Nationalist propaganda leaflets; retreat at night towards casualty clearing station, 24/9/1938.
REEL 5 Continues: suspicion of deserters; withdrawal of British Bn from front line; role as liaison officer to Palestinian contingent; move to Barcelona; carrying Spanish Republican flag at head of International Brigade farewell in Barcelona, 29/10/1938; representing International Bdes at Spanish Republican Government in Barcelona, 10/1938; awaiting repatriation in Ripoll, 12/1938; issue of demobilisation clothing; reception on arrival at Victoria Railway Station, London, GB, 1/1939; reaction to public indifference to Spanish Civil War. Reflections on service with British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 1937-1938: question of circumstances of death of Buenaventura Durruti; question of attitudes towards Spanish civilians.
REEL 6 Continues: comparison of experiences in British Army and XV International Bde; attitude towards political commissars; terms of enlistment in International Bdes; opinion of Nationalist forces; story illustrating attempts to depoliticise Spanish Republican Army after 1937; degree of influence of Communist Party on International Bdes; story of finding copy of Shakespeare play 'As You Like It' during bombardment; opinion of International Bdes crossing of River Ebro, 7/1938; physical condition; morale of volunteers, 7/1938.
REEL 7 Continues: question of contact with women and prostitutes; stories illustrating support for Spanish Republic during International Brigade veterans' tour of GB, 1939; background to joining International Bdes, 8/1937; opinion of selection procedure for International Bdes; attitude to volunteering for Spain; role of intellectuals in Spanish Civil War; training at Tarazona de la Mancha; reaction of volunteers to black American officer; question of language used in International Bdes.
REEL 8 Continues: background to joining British Bn; awareness of foreign intervention on Nationalist side during Ebro Offensive, 7/1938; political attitudes of International Bdes volunteers; opinion of Sam Wild; story of Sam Wild's treatment of deserters, 9/1938; question of deserters in British Bn; character of officers in British Bn; ammunition carried during crossing River Ebro; question of ammunition supplies; appearance of Nationalist troops; description of footwear worn; description of International Bde pay book; pay.
REEL 9 Continues: receiving 'good conduct' stamp in pay book; description of Nationalist propaganda leaflets; opinion of recruitment to Spanish Republican Army, 1938; reaction to staying in front line positions after news of withdrawal of International Bdes, 24/9/1938; attitude towards experiences in Spain; story illustrating political attitudes in Tarazona de la Mancha, Spain, 1977.