XI International Brigade Thälmann Brigade | |
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Active | 1936–1939 |
Country | German and Austrian |
Allegiance | Spanish Republic |
Branch | International Brigades |
Type | Mixed Brigade |
Role | Home Defence |
Part of | 11th Division (1937) 35th Division (1937–1939) |
Garrison/HQ | Albacete, Barcelona |
Nickname(s) | Brigada Thälmann |
March | Ballade der XI. Brigade |
Engagements | Spanish Civil War |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Manfred Stern Hans Kahle Richard Staimer Heinrich Rau Ferenc Münnich |
The XI International Brigade fought for the Spanish Second Republic in the Spanish Civil War.
It would become especially renowned for providing desperately needed support in the darkest hours of the Republican defense of Madrid on 8 November 1936, when, with great losses, it helped repulse a major assault by veteran Nationalist troops, buying time for more Republican troops to be brought into the city.[1]