Ancient history

Malraux:to the aid of the Republicans

André Malraux arrived in Spain in October 1936, like André Marty. Malraux had already fought eight years earlier in the ranks of the Chinese revolutionaries. This time, accompanied by his friend, the aviator Corniglion-Molinier, he undertook to create a squadron:it would be the “Espana” squadron of which he took command. The aircraft crossed the border, either before it was closed or after, clandestinely or thanks to the complacency of French officials. They are heterogeneous and often poorly adapted to local combat conditions. Some - the Bloch - are nicknamed the "flying coffins". Lacking air force, the Republican government granted air volunteers privileged conditions. They are hired under contract, with, most of the time, high specialist salaries. The squadron commanded by Malraux will render great service. Its leader, wounded, returned to combat in 1938 after a brief stay in France. Writing in 1963, when Malraux was De Gaulle's minister, the Spanish communist leader Dolores lbarurri - the famous "Pasionaria" will pay tribute to him across the political abyss that separates them. The Republican government awards Malraux its highest "A", decoration. The company of the French writer is located on the fringes of the international brigades themselves. It is nonetheless part of the epic of foreign volunteers who came to the aid of Republican Spain.