Dimitrov Battalion

Dimitrov Battalion
Active 1936-1938
Country Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia
Allegiance Spain
Branch International Brigades
Type Battalion - Infantry
Part of XV International Brigade , 45th International Division Reserve, 129th International Brigade
Mascot(s) Georgi Dimitrov
Engagements Battle of Jarama
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Josef Pavel

The Dimitrov Battalion was part of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. It was the 18th battalion formed, and was named after Georgi Dimitrov, a Bulgarian communist and General Secretary of the Comintern in that period.

History

It was founded in December 1936, composed largely of Balkan exiles.[1] It soon had 800 volunteers, including about 400 Bulgarians, 160 Greeks[2] and 25 Yugoslavs.[3] The first commander of the battalion was the Bulgarian Ivan Paunov (pseudonim Grebenarov) who perished under frontal attack Feb 12, 1937. The Battalion then became part of the XV International Brigade on January 31, 1937. There it joined two battalions that were to become famous: the British Battalion and the Lincoln Battalion. They fought together for the first time at the Battle of Jarama in February 1937, with the Dimitrovs holding the right.[4] The brigade suffered extremely heavy casualties.

On September 20, 1937, the Dimitrovs were moved to 45th International Division Reserve, where the battalion was rebuilt. On February 13, 1938, it became part of the newly formed 129th International Brigade, which was formed from central European battalions. It remained with the 129th Brigade until it was demobilised on October 5, 1938. Its last commander, Josef Pavel,[5] became a cabinet minister during Alexander Dubček's Prague Spring in 1968.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beevor (2006) p210
  2. ↑ Thomas (2001) p 574
  3. ↑ Đurđević-Đukić (1975) Chapter: Krsmanović Branko
  4. ↑ Beevor (2006) p 210
  5. ↑ Thomas (2001) p 926

Sources

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