Maroto Column
The Maroto column was a militia column that operated at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.
Maroto Column | |
---|---|
Columna Maroto | |
Active | 1936 |
Country | |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Militia |
Role | Home defense |
Size | 1,000 |
Garrison/HQ | Guadix |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Francisco Maroto del Ojo |
History
The column was founded in Alicante, in the summer of 1936, by the Granadin anarchist leader Francisco Maroto del Ojo.[1] At first it was made up of 270 anarchist militiamen. After being formed, on August 6 the column left Alicante and headed for the Granada front; they managed to reach the town of Guadix, where they established their headquarters.[3] In this area they managed to recruit more volunteers, until the column reached a thousand troops.
Their military actions, however, were null. The Maroto column took part in the attack against the nationalist position at Güéjar Sierra, but it was never in a position to retake the city of Granada. At the end of 1936, the attempts to militarize this militia met with the opposition of their commander, Maroto del Ojo.[5]
After its militarization the unit disappeared and its troops integrated into the 89th and 147th mixed brigades, on the Andalusian front.[3]
References
- Gil Bracero 1998, p. 47.
- Ramos 1972, p. 114.
- Mainar 1998, pp. 95, 101.
Bibliography
- Gil Bracero, Rafael (1998). Revolutionaries without revolution. Marxists and anarcho-syndicalists at war: Granada-Baza, 1936-1939. University of Granada.
- Mainar, Eladi (1998). From milicians to soldats. The Valencian columns in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). University of Valencia. ISBN 84-370-3349-7.
- Ramírez Navarro, Antonio (2018). Although pain and death await us. History of the libertarian movement in Almería. Editorial Universitaria de Almería.
- Ramos, Vicente (1972). The Civil War (1936-1939) in the province of Alicante. Alicante Library.