Disbandment of The International Brigades

By October, 1938 Moscow was calling the shots in the anti-fascist corps and the Brigaditas were considered ideologically and doctrinally unsound by those exercising the powerful Russian influence. The final appearance of the battalion was at a farewell parade in Barcelona at the end of October 1938, at which important Republican figures, including President Azaña and Prime Minister Negrín, expressed their thanks to the Internationals. The speech by Dolores Ibarruri, the Communist deputy from the Asturias, forever known as La Pasionaria, delivered to the more than 13,000 watching Internationals, was the highlight of an extremely emotional occasion. (see post below).