The war is going well for us [Subject describes battles in the European and Pacific theaters - A.S.].
The war in Spain went well for a while too. A short while, but not for the first wave of volunteers. I was a chofer, a driver, for the American Medical Bureau. I met up with the Major [Dr. Edward K. Barsky, Chief of the American Medical Bureau – A.S.] outside of Madrid. Sometimes I drove the Major's car, sometimes an ambulance (one was donated by the students and faculty Harvard University), and sometimes I drove the autochir. This was the mobile hospital. It had an operating table, surgical instruments, x-ray machine, a gas-powered generator for electricity and everything you needed to treat the wounded. I was told it held about fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of equipment.
In Madrid, we were treated like heroes – even though I had not yet done anything. I was a little embarrassed by the attention; however, I welcomed their gratitude and love.
Most of the action at Madrid had taken place before I arrived. My colleagues did not talk about it, because about 600 International Brigade volunteers were killed. Many blamed the deaths on inept decision-making.
Most of the action at Madrid had taken place before I arrived. My colleagues did not talk about it, because about 600 International Brigade volunteers were killed. Many blamed the deaths on inept decision-making.
We soon moved out of Madrid and relocate to Villa Paz. This is the Aragon region. I can still feel the cold – I could never get warm there. When we were not using our vehicles we drained the radiators to make sure that they would not freeze. Among the drivers and mechanics, I was very popular because I brought my tool set. However, I had to watch it constantly because tools were so rare – they would quickly disappear. Even though I am an anarchist, I became obsessively possessive of my tools. With the environment both weather and militarily so hostile a breakdown could cost you your life. I did many runs transporting wounded, but I was far from the front. I occasionally heard fascist planes, but they were always far away.
The population of the Aragon was mostly anarchristic. Seeing anarchist ideals put into reality was mind-bloggling. The towns, villages, and farms operated in a communal manner without hierarchy. I learned as much as I could with my limited Spanish and pantomime. Although we were in the middle of a war and there was scarcity of life’s basic needs, the people of the region were incredibly optimistic for the future of the society they were building. And the pride in that it was something they were building themselves was awe inspiring. The pride, vigor, resourcefulness, and happiness of the people was infectious. I felt honored to be there to help with their revolution.
Naturally, not everything operated perfectly, The various villages and towns started to print their own currency. Even the various anarchist syndicates such as bakers, barbers, etc. issued their own money. Unfortunately, the money was rarely accepted outside of the issuing agency. The leadership in Barcelona ordered that these currencies be withdrawn, the locals cried out that the central authorities were "betraying the revolution."
Little did they know then what "betraying the revolution" would really look like.
© 2011 Ron Millar
© 2011 Ron Millar
