Sixth of February Battalion

Sixth of February Battalion
Active	1937–1938
Country	French and Belgian
Allegiance	Republican Spain
Branch	International Brigades
Type	Infantry battalion
Part of	XV International Brigade XIV International Brigade
Engagements	Battle of Jarama
Commanders
Notable commanders	Gabriel Fort

The "Sixth of February" Battalion (French: Bataillon Six-Février, Spanish: Batallón Seis de Febrero) was a Franco-Belgian International Brigade battalion during the Spanish Civil War. The Battalion served in the XV and XIV International Brigades. It took its name from the date of 1934 anticipated right-wing putsch against the Popular Front in France which was purportedly defeated by various left-wing groups.

History

The "Sixth of February" Battalion was founded on 20 December 1936 but did not become active until 31 January 1937. It was formed mainly by French and Belgian volunteers, although it also included Algerian, Moroccan, Tangerine, Greek, Syrian, American, Chinese, Zionist Jewish and Hungarian personnel. The name of the unit was in reference to the violent demonstration of 6 February 1934 in Paris, which was led by far-right leagues against the left-wing French parliament.^[1]: 582

Until mid-1937, it was part of the XV International Brigade. The Frenchman Gabriel Fort was its commander until 12 February 1937, when he was severely wounded during the Battle of Jarama, where the unit fought between 11 and 27 February. Then, the Romanian Émile Schneiberg took command until his death two days later in the same battle.^[1]: 582 On 4 August 1937 it was moved to the XIV International Brigade, and comprised three companies of riflemen.^[2]: 62 The 1st Company had a machine-gun section. Gabriel Fort was designated commander again on 7 August, but lost his vision in Villanueva de la Cañada during the following fights. It was part of the XIV International Brigade Bis between 27 September 1937 and 23 February 1938, but it belonged again to the XIV until its dissolution on 22 April 1938.^[3]: 210

References

1. Castells, Andreu (1974). Las Brigadas Internacionales en la Guerra de España. Esplugues de Llobregat: Ariel. ISBN 8434424606.
2. Mugnai, Bruno (2010). Volontari Stranieri e le Brigate Internazionali in Spagna (1936-39). Zanica: Soldiershop. ISBN 9788896519394.
3. Beevor, Antony (2006). The Battle for Spain: the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 (Rev. ed.). London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 0-2978-4832-1.