anonymous diary of a militia of the CNT
Madrid, November 20, 1936
'm awake for four hours, I find myself in the hospital militia confederal Hotel Ritz in Madrid. It would say, I was hospitalized this morning with a severe bayonet wound he almost blew it stomaco.Mi have emergency surgery and was in a state of semi-consciousness for so long. I still have images in my mind a bit 'confused about what has happened. I remember we were ordered to take the ground floor and basement of the hospital Clinico. On entering, we encountered the enemy with whom there was a melee combat. It all happened quickly, I remember the fight with one another and, above all, his face over my bayonet. He had grasped it with both hands, while the blade cutting the hole. Her cries were mingled with mine, at the same time mingled with those of all the others who were fighting in the dark. When the body of the stranger went limp, fell on him breathless. My body was drenched in sweat, even though the night was very cold and drenched with rain. The last thing I remember is that I tried to get up and a terrible pain in the side has prevented me. I began to feel that I was burning all part of the stomach, I felt the shots and then I can not remember more.
Since we left the Aragon, until now, I could not write anything about the diary. I'll try to make a synthesis of all the events that occurred since we left the Aragon front until today.
Madrid at the end of October, is about to fall, the government does not trust in his salvation and preparing for the flight to Valencia. But before you run, Caballero, president of the council and minister of war, tries to tie all the loose ends, and most important is the CNT. In his meeting with President Manuel Azan, the states that the CNT should enter the government Azaña first refused, but the next day to accept, without beating about the bush, leaving stunned Largo Caballero. The plan is drawn. CNT is awarded to four ministries without portfolio, he would go to four companions chosen by the organization. These ministers are anarchists Juan López (Commerce), Federica Montseny (Health), Juan Peiró (Industry) and Garcia Oliver (Justice). The CNT majority among the population, but minority status in the decisions, we return to give another piece of land, as we are doing since July 19 under the slogan of colorless resistir, no pasarán, unidad
fascist ... On November 4, you accept the ' entrance of the CNT in the government of the Republic and 5 November four of our people attend their first Council of Ministers, but what is the surprise. Largo Caballero announced that the government moves to Valencia. To our four companions bleaching the face. Now understand what is the game of those who have always been our enemies, the flight from Madrid, but accompanied by a representative of the CNT so that the disgrace falls also on our organization. Our comrades are opposed vigorously. García Oliver, speaks on behalf of the four ministers of the CNT: "Let's go? But if we just got here, no!. The government needs to stay in Madrid and the ministers, commissioners as authentic, must be the leaders of the struggle and even fight the barricades. " These words filled with horror the other ministers, including the Communists, who watched Oliver Garcia like a mad man who was sending them to the forefront. All eyes quickly diverted to Largo Caballero, and such calls for calm, the Ministers of the CNT and to "act reasonably" because there was no time and the decision had to be unanimous. Oliver Garcia ratified what he had said before, Caballero said that the four ministers of the CNT should meet privately with more time to deliberate on the situation it was in the government. The four ministers returned to ratify still refusing to leave Madrid. Then the other ministers began to take off their masks. Those of the party said in a loud voice Azaña Largo Caballero, "Look at yourself crazy people that brought us in "the government! cenet Caballero told that either accepted or you could open a crisis of government and, now, would be the end of everything. cenet I returned to meet, but resolved to get out of that situation that would call the National Committee of the CNT to the state in which they communicate. Horacio M. Prieto, of the National Committee of the CNT, they said, 'Vote, then return immediately to Madrid. "
When Oliver Garcia went to communicate the results there was silence of the grave, and in the midst of this silence, announced that the CNT had voted for the transfer of government in Valencia. It is said that more than a sweat, I personally believe that if more than one is made in thinking about going to the front. From that moment all the ministers who had sweated so much pending the decision of the CNT, now ran like crazy: go, go, run away as soon as possible from Madrid.
But the streets of the capital, the people of Madrid was contrary to the government that abandoned him. In every corner of the city people prepared to resist, the CNT and the UGT had issued a manifesto to all the people of Madrid, which was summarized in these words: "Liberty or Death!" In the streets all prepared their weapons, to guard against the fascism that is on the outskirts of Madrid. At nightfall, 6 November, the government took the flight to the road to Valencia, via Tarancón. At that point they were stopped by the units anarchist del compagno Villanueva che presidiavano la posizione. Questi aveva ricevuto ordini da Madrid di lasciare passare i ministri, e con riluttanza obbedì agli ordini. Prima di partire, Largo Caballero diede al generale Miaja una busta sigillata con la raccomandazione di "non aprirla prima delle 6 di mattina del 7 novembre". La busta conteneva la nomina del generale Miaja come capo della difesa di Madrid.
Nella notte del 7 novembre, i combattimenti si fecero molto duri, e per la prima volta i miliziani non retrocedettero e combatterono come veri leoni. La Federazione locale dei sindacati della CNT lanciò un appello via radio:
"Madrid, libera da ministri, commissari e "turisti", si sente più sicura nella sua lotta (...) Il popolo, la Madrid's working class, did not need all these tourists who went to Valencia and Catalonia. Madrid, free of the ministers, will be the tomb of fascism. Next, fighters! Viva Madrid without a government! Long live the social revolution. "
In Valencia, a statement that was made public by the CNT and the FAI has been even more radical:
Since we left the Aragon, until now, I could not write anything about the diary. I'll try to make a synthesis of all the events that occurred since we left the Aragon front until today.
Madrid at the end of October, is about to fall, the government does not trust in his salvation and preparing for the flight to Valencia. But before you run, Caballero, president of the council and minister of war, tries to tie all the loose ends, and most important is the CNT. In his meeting with President Manuel Azan, the states that the CNT should enter the government Azaña first refused, but the next day to accept, without beating about the bush, leaving stunned Largo Caballero. The plan is drawn. CNT is awarded to four ministries without portfolio, he would go to four companions chosen by the organization. These ministers are anarchists Juan López (Commerce), Federica Montseny (Health), Juan Peiró (Industry) and Garcia Oliver (Justice). The CNT majority among the population, but minority status in the decisions, we return to give another piece of land, as we are doing since July 19 under the slogan of colorless resistir, no pasarán, unidad
fascist ... On November 4, you accept the ' entrance of the CNT in the government of the Republic and 5 November four of our people attend their first Council of Ministers, but what is the surprise. Largo Caballero announced that the government moves to Valencia. To our four companions bleaching the face. Now understand what is the game of those who have always been our enemies, the flight from Madrid, but accompanied by a representative of the CNT so that the disgrace falls also on our organization. Our comrades are opposed vigorously. García Oliver, speaks on behalf of the four ministers of the CNT: "Let's go? But if we just got here, no!. The government needs to stay in Madrid and the ministers, commissioners as authentic, must be the leaders of the struggle and even fight the barricades. " These words filled with horror the other ministers, including the Communists, who watched Oliver Garcia like a mad man who was sending them to the forefront. All eyes quickly diverted to Largo Caballero, and such calls for calm, the Ministers of the CNT and to "act reasonably" because there was no time and the decision had to be unanimous. Oliver Garcia ratified what he had said before, Caballero said that the four ministers of the CNT should meet privately with more time to deliberate on the situation it was in the government. The four ministers returned to ratify still refusing to leave Madrid. Then the other ministers began to take off their masks. Those of the party said in a loud voice Azaña Largo Caballero, "Look at yourself crazy people that brought us in "the government! cenet Caballero told that either accepted or you could open a crisis of government and, now, would be the end of everything. cenet I returned to meet, but resolved to get out of that situation that would call the National Committee of the CNT to the state in which they communicate. Horacio M. Prieto, of the National Committee of the CNT, they said, 'Vote, then return immediately to Madrid. "
When Oliver Garcia went to communicate the results there was silence of the grave, and in the midst of this silence, announced that the CNT had voted for the transfer of government in Valencia. It is said that more than a sweat, I personally believe that if more than one is made in thinking about going to the front. From that moment all the ministers who had sweated so much pending the decision of the CNT, now ran like crazy: go, go, run away as soon as possible from Madrid.
But the streets of the capital, the people of Madrid was contrary to the government that abandoned him. In every corner of the city people prepared to resist, the CNT and the UGT had issued a manifesto to all the people of Madrid, which was summarized in these words: "Liberty or Death!" In the streets all prepared their weapons, to guard against the fascism that is on the outskirts of Madrid. At nightfall, 6 November, the government took the flight to the road to Valencia, via Tarancón. At that point they were stopped by the units anarchist del compagno Villanueva che presidiavano la posizione. Questi aveva ricevuto ordini da Madrid di lasciare passare i ministri, e con riluttanza obbedì agli ordini. Prima di partire, Largo Caballero diede al generale Miaja una busta sigillata con la raccomandazione di "non aprirla prima delle 6 di mattina del 7 novembre". La busta conteneva la nomina del generale Miaja come capo della difesa di Madrid.
Nella notte del 7 novembre, i combattimenti si fecero molto duri, e per la prima volta i miliziani non retrocedettero e combatterono come veri leoni. La Federazione locale dei sindacati della CNT lanciò un appello via radio:
"Madrid, libera da ministri, commissari e "turisti", si sente più sicura nella sua lotta (...) Il popolo, la Madrid's working class, did not need all these tourists who went to Valencia and Catalonia. Madrid, free of the ministers, will be the tomb of fascism. Next, fighters! Viva Madrid without a government! Long live the social revolution. "
In Valencia, a statement that was made public by the CNT and the FAI has been even more radical:
" For women, children, the elderly and the injured in Madrid, Our house and our bread. But for cowards and deserters who walk by exposing their weapons, our contempt. Comrades, boicottiamoli and make their lives impossible. "
On 8 November, the Legionnaires and Moors were able to sneak along the banks of the river Manzanares in the Casa de Campo and the university town. The government of Valencia to Generalitad of Catalonia suggests the need to transfer forces from the Aragon front in Madrid. The Ministry of Defense shall convene an emergency meeting, attended by representatives of all political forces and unions, along with Federica Montseny, as Minister of the Republic, and representatives of the columns involved in Aragon. The name that comes out is that of Durruti and his column. Durruti meet all the column and explains the situation: we can not go all out in defense of Madrid and leave the front without any protection, so only a portion of the column will move. In total about 1,400 men who will leave for Madrid.
First, we went to Barcelona, \u200b\u200ba ship in the port waiting for us from Central America, loaded with weapons. Now, we begin to download the content you store them on railway wagons which will start immediately for Madrid. The weapons are manufactured in Switzerland and Mexico, it is a fitting that the Russians have bought, and paid its weight in gold, but in reality is pure garbage. Durruti had the opportunity to test the material in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bbut once in Madrid, has made the poor quality of weapons, he telephoned Abad de Santillan said, "that the guns that they had given him if he could kick in the ass ... "and asking them to urgently send thirty-five thousand hand grenades, the" FAI ".
the night of November 13 we were transferred to Valencia on a freight train, 48 hours without sleep, without rest. In Valencia we arrived at noon on November 14 and on the station platform waiting for us Durruti, with Garcia Oliver, who left Barcelona by plane accompanied by Yoldi y Manzana. Durruti told us that the rest of the trip to Madrid we would have done on buses and trucks, since the railway had been partly destroyed by bombing enemy. He concluded by saying that in order to prepare for the arrival of the column, he would go by plane to Madrid along with Garcia Oliver.
Durruti arrived in Madrid the same day 14 in the afternoon. This meant that from spreading the rumor that the column Durruti was already in Madrid, confusing our column with another, also made by Catalans, but organized by psuche, the "Libertad López-Tienda. Our column arrived in Madrid on November 15, entering the Puente de Vallecas, people cheered us thanking us for coming. In the evening, we were housed in a school for children with the intention to spend the night and rest well before going into combat. But shortly after arrival, a private vehicle arrived at the door of our makeshift barracks, got out Federica Montseny, nervous, energetic voice and he told us: "Comrades, the Moors are the Paseo de Rosales. We require that these forces should be there immediately if we do not want to try Madrid to see the bitterness is overrun by the Moors already this evening. "
Liberto Ros and José Mira said:" Durruti told us that in any case we need to move from here. As you can see, we have to wait for its arrival, which will not be long. "Federica Montseny wished good luck to all of us, and came up on the machine that set off at full speed.
Durruti arrived few minutes later, we all gathered, explaining the need for save Madrid, and concluded with the following words: "I understand what it means for you to immediately go to fight, without rest, fatigued by the hard journey, but you need to do so. I will be your head, to fight with you against the invader. "
Without discussion we prepared to enter combat. At sunset we headed to the front, waiting for us there with some friends at Madrid sent by Cipriano Mera and companion named Timothy. These fellows knew the ground well and made us be your guide.
Almost at the dawn of November 16th we entered the fighting, tired and without any addition of fresh forces, while other political forces they had. The help that we had been promised by international Kleber not arrived when we were told, we were holed up in front of the enemy, while our men, our comrades, our friends were falling one after the other defending Madrid, Madrid abandoned the Government of the republic by the name Valencia resistance. Cursed, and cursed be your whole damn race!
At midnight between November 17 and il18, Durruti was finally able to bring together delegates from Centuria's Column at the Faculty of Sciences. We fought tirelessly for 36 hours and the situation of the column was terrifying. Of the roughly 1,700 troops - also counting your fellow Madrid - who had entered into combat, there were only 700, and in poor condition from 36 hours since they had not eaten anything, not even a sip of coffee. The cold and rain will soak down to the bone, in a situation where death from a bullet or a bayonet could surprise us at any time.
Of all the forces fighting in the city university, we were the only ones with all the men engaged in combat. At dawn on November 18 Durruti saw with his own eyes how the international Kleber had been replaced in part by the XII International Brigade, as was the case with other units.
Durruti was in a bad mood for what was happening. Got in touch with fellow Eduardo Val, of the Defense Committee of the Centre, to try to replace the men who were not capable of fighting. Val tried it by any means, but discouraged Durruti had to tell that there was no way to replace the men, because all his companions were mobilized, and many of them fought with the CNT unit.
Durruti poi si incontrò urgentemente con Vicente Rojo e col generale Miaja al Ministero della Guerra. Li informò della situazione in cui si trovava la colonna, o quel che restava di essa - non rimanevano più di 400 uomini. Questi risposero a Durruti che avrebbero cercato con tutti i mezzi di sostituire i suoi uomini il giorno successivo, 19 novembre. Ma dovevano resistere fino ad allora. Impadronirsi, se possibile, dell'Ospedale Clinico, e mantenere il fronte nella città universitaria. Se i miliziani erano in grado di mantenere un cerchio di ferro, inchiodando i fascisti nella città universitaria per le prossime 24 ore, Madrid sarebbe stata salvata.
All'alba del 19 novembre ci ordinarono di prendere l'Ospedale, il combattimento fu senza quartiere, melee, and that's when I was wounded. As I tried to get rid of the enemy in a fight with the bayonet, another mercenary behind me I put her, a bayonet between his ribs, fortunately, two companions of the column arrived at that moment, shooting and killing the enemy. From that moment I remember nothing else. For the rest, I was not conscious, and I spent time in a corner with me that the wound was bandaged by a companion, until I was finally evacuated.
Today, November 20, 1936, Madrid is safe, but at what price. Our column was almost wiped out and the pain of the loss of so many friends is enormous between those who remained alive. At this time, as I write These words give us another hard news, in the same hospital lies the body of a man who gave his name to our glorious Buenaventura Durruti Column.
Within a few days will be moved to Barcelona. I promised my friends that, once restored, will return with them on the first line of the front.
Now I need to rest ...
On 8 November, the Legionnaires and Moors were able to sneak along the banks of the river Manzanares in the Casa de Campo and the university town. The government of Valencia to Generalitad of Catalonia suggests the need to transfer forces from the Aragon front in Madrid. The Ministry of Defense shall convene an emergency meeting, attended by representatives of all political forces and unions, along with Federica Montseny, as Minister of the Republic, and representatives of the columns involved in Aragon. The name that comes out is that of Durruti and his column. Durruti meet all the column and explains the situation: we can not go all out in defense of Madrid and leave the front without any protection, so only a portion of the column will move. In total about 1,400 men who will leave for Madrid.
First, we went to Barcelona, \u200b\u200ba ship in the port waiting for us from Central America, loaded with weapons. Now, we begin to download the content you store them on railway wagons which will start immediately for Madrid. The weapons are manufactured in Switzerland and Mexico, it is a fitting that the Russians have bought, and paid its weight in gold, but in reality is pure garbage. Durruti had the opportunity to test the material in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bbut once in Madrid, has made the poor quality of weapons, he telephoned Abad de Santillan said, "that the guns that they had given him if he could kick in the ass ... "and asking them to urgently send thirty-five thousand hand grenades, the" FAI ".
the night of November 13 we were transferred to Valencia on a freight train, 48 hours without sleep, without rest. In Valencia we arrived at noon on November 14 and on the station platform waiting for us Durruti, with Garcia Oliver, who left Barcelona by plane accompanied by Yoldi y Manzana. Durruti told us that the rest of the trip to Madrid we would have done on buses and trucks, since the railway had been partly destroyed by bombing enemy. He concluded by saying that in order to prepare for the arrival of the column, he would go by plane to Madrid along with Garcia Oliver.
Durruti arrived in Madrid the same day 14 in the afternoon. This meant that from spreading the rumor that the column Durruti was already in Madrid, confusing our column with another, also made by Catalans, but organized by psuche, the "Libertad López-Tienda. Our column arrived in Madrid on November 15, entering the Puente de Vallecas, people cheered us thanking us for coming. In the evening, we were housed in a school for children with the intention to spend the night and rest well before going into combat. But shortly after arrival, a private vehicle arrived at the door of our makeshift barracks, got out Federica Montseny, nervous, energetic voice and he told us: "Comrades, the Moors are the Paseo de Rosales. We require that these forces should be there immediately if we do not want to try Madrid to see the bitterness is overrun by the Moors already this evening. "
Liberto Ros and José Mira said:" Durruti told us that in any case we need to move from here. As you can see, we have to wait for its arrival, which will not be long. "Federica Montseny wished good luck to all of us, and came up on the machine that set off at full speed.
Durruti arrived few minutes later, we all gathered, explaining the need for save Madrid, and concluded with the following words: "I understand what it means for you to immediately go to fight, without rest, fatigued by the hard journey, but you need to do so. I will be your head, to fight with you against the invader. "
Without discussion we prepared to enter combat. At sunset we headed to the front, waiting for us there with some friends at Madrid sent by Cipriano Mera and companion named Timothy. These fellows knew the ground well and made us be your guide.
Almost at the dawn of November 16th we entered the fighting, tired and without any addition of fresh forces, while other political forces they had. The help that we had been promised by international Kleber not arrived when we were told, we were holed up in front of the enemy, while our men, our comrades, our friends were falling one after the other defending Madrid, Madrid abandoned the Government of the republic by the name Valencia resistance. Cursed, and cursed be your whole damn race!
At midnight between November 17 and il18, Durruti was finally able to bring together delegates from Centuria's Column at the Faculty of Sciences. We fought tirelessly for 36 hours and the situation of the column was terrifying. Of the roughly 1,700 troops - also counting your fellow Madrid - who had entered into combat, there were only 700, and in poor condition from 36 hours since they had not eaten anything, not even a sip of coffee. The cold and rain will soak down to the bone, in a situation where death from a bullet or a bayonet could surprise us at any time.
Of all the forces fighting in the city university, we were the only ones with all the men engaged in combat. At dawn on November 18 Durruti saw with his own eyes how the international Kleber had been replaced in part by the XII International Brigade, as was the case with other units.
Durruti was in a bad mood for what was happening. Got in touch with fellow Eduardo Val, of the Defense Committee of the Centre, to try to replace the men who were not capable of fighting. Val tried it by any means, but discouraged Durruti had to tell that there was no way to replace the men, because all his companions were mobilized, and many of them fought with the CNT unit.
Durruti poi si incontrò urgentemente con Vicente Rojo e col generale Miaja al Ministero della Guerra. Li informò della situazione in cui si trovava la colonna, o quel che restava di essa - non rimanevano più di 400 uomini. Questi risposero a Durruti che avrebbero cercato con tutti i mezzi di sostituire i suoi uomini il giorno successivo, 19 novembre. Ma dovevano resistere fino ad allora. Impadronirsi, se possibile, dell'Ospedale Clinico, e mantenere il fronte nella città universitaria. Se i miliziani erano in grado di mantenere un cerchio di ferro, inchiodando i fascisti nella città universitaria per le prossime 24 ore, Madrid sarebbe stata salvata.
All'alba del 19 novembre ci ordinarono di prendere l'Ospedale, il combattimento fu senza quartiere, melee, and that's when I was wounded. As I tried to get rid of the enemy in a fight with the bayonet, another mercenary behind me I put her, a bayonet between his ribs, fortunately, two companions of the column arrived at that moment, shooting and killing the enemy. From that moment I remember nothing else. For the rest, I was not conscious, and I spent time in a corner with me that the wound was bandaged by a companion, until I was finally evacuated.
Today, November 20, 1936, Madrid is safe, but at what price. Our column was almost wiped out and the pain of the loss of so many friends is enormous between those who remained alive. At this time, as I write These words give us another hard news, in the same hospital lies the body of a man who gave his name to our glorious Buenaventura Durruti Column.
Within a few days will be moved to Barcelona. I promised my friends that, once restored, will return with them on the first line of the front.
Now I need to rest ...
taken from
http://insumision.blogspot.com/2007/06/diario-de-un-miliciano-annimo-de-la-cnt.html
http://insumision.blogspot.com/2007/06/diario-de-un-miliciano-annimo-de-la-cnt.html
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