Surviving veterans of the Spanish Civil War
The following is a list of known surviving veterans of the Spanish Civil War (July 17, 1936- April 1, 1939). The total number of participating personnel is unknown, but there were an estimated 35,000 foreigners who fought on the Republican side in what was known as the International Brigades. As well, Mussolini of Italy sent as many as 60,000 Italian troops to fight alongside Fascist Spanish dictator Franco.
Veterans, for this purpose, are defined as people who were members of the armed forces of one of the combatant forces up to and including the date recognised as the end of the War, which was April 1, 1939.
Republican Forces—15 Veterans
Name |
Date of Birth |
Age |
Nationality |
Force served |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adolf Vodicka |
International Brigade |
Last surviving Czech veteran. Held the rank of captain in the Republican army. |
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Teo Francos |
International Brigade |
Attended the opening of a mass grave in 2002. |
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Adolphe Low |
Bataillon Edgar André |
Joined the International Brigade in 1936 after fleeing from the Nazis to France. Later fought in the Resistance. |
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Adelina Kondrateva |
Red Army |
Military interpreter. One of 6 surviving Russian veterans. Still alive in November 2008 |
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Miroslava Zaitseva |
Red Army |
Military interpreter. One of 6 surviving Russian veterans. Still alive in July 2008 |
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Victor Lavski |
Red Army |
Bomber pilot. Commited 96 operational flights. One of 6 surviving Russian veterans. Still alive in November 2008 |
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Ivan Fedorov |
Red Army |
A pilot. Destroyed 24 enemy airplanes. One of 6 surviving Russian veterans. |
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Garcia Baron, Antonio |
87 |
Durruti Column |
Only survivor of the anarchist Durruti column which held Francoist forces at bay in Madrid. |
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Santiago Carrillo |
January 18, 1915 |
94 |
Communists |
Led Communist forces in Madrid. |
|
Penny Feiwel |
International Brigade |
Nurse in the International Brigade |
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Lou Kenton |
International Brigade |
Ambulance driver |
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Sam Lesser |
British Battalion |
One of the first British volunteers to go to Spain. Saw action at the battle of Madrid |
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Clarence Kailin |
Abraham Lincoln Brigade |
After the war he became an active peace campaigner. Still alive in August 2008. |
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Matti Mattson |
Abraham Lincoln Brigade |
Ambulance driver who met Ernest Hemingway. Still alive in July 2008. |
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George Sossenko |
Abraham Lincoln Brigade, Sébastien Faure Century |
One of the last American combat veteran of the Spanish Civil War. Later fought in World War II. |
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Fascist Forces—6 Veterans
Name |
Date of Birth |
Age |
Nationality |
Force served |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hajo Herrmann |
Legion Condor, Luftwaffe |
Recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords. |
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Klaus Feldt |
Legion Condor, Kriegsmarine |
Recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves. |
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Jürgen Oesten |
Legion Condor, Kriegsmarine |
Recipient of the Knight's Cross. |
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Alfonso Armada |
Falange |
Enlisted aged 16. Later fought for Germany in WW2. |
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José Córdoba |
1918 |
Nationalist Army |
Promoted to captain at the age of 24. Now a military historian. |
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Faustino Olivera |
1919 |
89 |
Nationalist Army |
Had a bullet removed from his shoulder after about 70 years. |
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World Totals - 21 veterans
- Verified claims of Republic Forces (inc International Brigades): 15
- Verified claims of Nationalist Forces: 6
- Total verified claims: 21
2007 (6){{·}} 2008 (7){{·}} 2009 (2)
}}
See also
- Last Living War Veterans
- Surviving veterans of World War I
- Last surviving United States war veterans
- List of last surviving World War I veterans by country
- Surviving U.S. veterans of World War II
- List of living Band of Brothers veterans
- List of notable last events
External links
- International Brigade Memorial Trust
- TimesOnline looks at the veterans of the Spanish Civil War
- Ireland and the SCW - this site gives information on volunteers from both sides.
- Last Surviving Spanish Civil War veterans from Ireland thanks to the BBC
- Last surviving Spanish Civil War veteran from Wales
- Last surviving Spanish Civil War Anarchist veteran
- Last surviving Spanish Civil War veteran from Ireland dies
- Scotland's last Spanish Civil War veteran dies | (Video)