Wednesday @ 1: Manchester and the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) is generally considered a prelude to the Second World War; by some historians, it is considered in effect the start of the Second World War.

A few months before it began, German soldiers marched into the Rhineland; a few months after its conclusion, Germany invaded Poland. Troops from the fascist states of Germany and Italy were sent to Spain to support General Franco’s forces, whilst Soviet ‘advisers’ and pilots joined Spanish Republican forces.

More significantly, around 35,000 volunteers worldwide joined the International Brigades that were incorporated into the Republican Army. This included around 2550 from Britain and Ireland, of which almost 200 were from Greater Manchester. Of the 2550, 540 were killed, the majority of the rest were wounded, many more than once.

In the 1980s, Michael Crowley interviewed several surviving veterans and began researching the broader historical context. He is the author of a number of articles and publications on the subject. His lecture will concentrate on the men and women from Manchester who served as combatants and medical staff for the Spanish Republic. Who they were, their experiences and motivations. The lecture will include audio of interviews.