A new book, ‘Churchill’s Spaniards’, sheds light on the remarkable stories of over 1,200 Spanish soldiers who fought alongside the British against Nazi Germany during World War II. These men, veterans of the Spanish Civil War, risked their lives for freedom and faced immense danger, including being hunted by the Franco regime. Their courage, bravery, and contributions to the Allied victory have long been overlooked, and this book aims to finally give them the recognition they deserve.
George Orwell’s son, Richard Blair, has unveiled a bronze relief of his father in Huesca, Spain, nearly 90 years after Orwell nearly lost his life in the Spanish Civil War. The statue commemorates Orwell’s time fighting with the Republican forces and highlights the importance of preserving the memory of those who fought against fascism. The campaign to erect the statue was led by Blair and Spanish historian Victor Pardo, with support from Britain and Spain. The ceremony was marked by emotion and pride, with Blair kissing his father’s face on the statue. The unveiling of the statue also brings attention to the ongoing political controversy in Spain over the legacy of the civil war, with the right-wing PP and Vox parties attempting to whitewash the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.
