88 years ago, on October 28, 1938, the farewell parade of the International Brigades took place in Barcelona. On September 18, 1936, the Executive Committee of the Comintern decided to establish international brigades - military formations of foreign volunteers who fought on the side of the Spanish Republic against Franco's nationalists. Initially, divisions were established mainly on a national basis. Later, Spanish conscripts began to be actively included in their composition. Volunteers came from many countries. Most of them were citizens of France, Poland, Italy, Germany and the USA. Czechs, Slovaks, Belgians, British, Hungarians, Swiss, residents of the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic countries also fought. According to various estimates, during the entire war, about 30-50 thousand foreigners passed through the international brigades. The international divisions participated in several major battles. In November 1936, the 11th Brigade joined the defense of Madrid. In March 1937, near Guadalajara, international brigades resisted the advance of the Italian fascist corps. During the Battle of the Hévre River in July - November 1938, the Republicans and the Volunteers suffered heavy losses, it became clear that the Republicans were losing the war. The 15th International Division lost three quarters of its strength in this battle. After Havre, the leadership of the republic began to think about the withdrawal of foreign volunteers. In July 1938, in London, the Non-Intervention Committee of the League of Nations agreed on a plan: international brigades would withdraw from Spain in exchange for the withdrawal of a similar number of foreign "volunteers" on the Francoist side. However, the Francoists sabotaged this plan. The republican government of Juan Negrín came to an end, and on September 23, 1938, the International Brigades were officially disbanded. On October 25, 1938, in the Espluga village of Francoli, a meeting took place between the civilian population and the military leadership of the Republic. There, Prime Minister Juan Negrín, on behalf of the Spanish people, thanked the fighters for their brave struggle. After this meeting, the international divisions moved to Barcelona.

88 years ago, on October 28, 1938, the farewell parade of the International Brigades took place in Barcelona. On September 18, 1936, the Executive Committee of the Comintern decided to establish international brigades - military formations of foreign volunteers who fought on the side of the Spanish Republic against Franco's nationalists. Initially, divisions were established mainly on a national basis. Later, Spanish conscripts began to be actively included in their composition. Volunteers came from many countries. Most of them were citizens of France, Poland, Italy, Germany and the USA. Czechs, Slovaks, Belgians, British, Hungarians, Swiss, residents of the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic countries also fought. According to various estimates, during the entire war, about 30-50 thousand foreigners passed through the international brigades. The international divisions participated in several major battles. In November 1936, the 11th Brigade joined the defense of Madrid. In March 1937, near Guadalajara, international brigades resisted the advance of the Italian fascist corps. During the Battle of the Hévre River in July - November 1938, the Republicans and the Volunteers suffered heavy losses, it became clear that the Republicans were losing the war. The 15th International Division lost three quarters of its strength in this battle. After Havre, the leadership of the republic began to think about the withdrawal of foreign volunteers. In July 1938, in London, the Non-Intervention Committee of the League of Nations agreed on a plan: international brigades would withdraw from Spain in exchange for the withdrawal of a similar number of foreign "volunteers" on the Francoist side. However, the Francoists sabotaged this plan. The republican government of Juan Negrín came to an end, and on September 23, 1938, the International Brigades were officially disbanded. On October 25, 1938, in the Espluga village of Francoli, a meeting took place between the civilian population and the military leadership of the Republic. There, Prime Minister Juan Negrín, on behalf of the Spanish people, thanked the fighters for their brave struggle. After this meeting, the international divisions moved to Barcelona.