Dabrowski Battalion | |
---|---|
Active | 1936–1939 |
Country | Poland |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() XII International Brigade 150th International Brigade XIII International Brigade |
Type | Battalion of the International Brigades |
Nickname(s) | Dąbrowszczacy |
Motto(s) | For our freedom and yours |
Mascot(s) | Jarosław Dąbrowski |
Engagements | Siege of Madrid Battle of Jarama |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Józef Strzelczyk |
The Dabrowski Battalion, also known as Dąbrowszczacy (Polish pronunciation: [dɔmbrɔfˈʂt͡ʂat͡sɨ]), was a battalion of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. It was initially formed entirely of volunteers, "chiefly composed of Polish miners recently living and working in France and Belgium".[1][2] Due to the relatively short travelling distances, these men were amongst the first to arrive in Spain. The battalion had a strong Polish flavour and even when, towards the end of the war, Poles were heavily outnumbered by Spanish troops, the officers and non-commissioned officers were still predominantly Polish. It also contained a significant nucleus of Red Army officers.[3] It fought from 1936-1939.
The battalion was raised in Albacete (the headquarters depot of the International Brigades) in mid-October 1936.[4]