221st Mixed Brigade (Spain)

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This article is about the Spanish Republican military unit. For the Scottish formation, see 221st Mixed Brigade.
221st Mixed Brigade
221.ª Brigada Mixta
Bandera de la II República Española.PNG
Military flag of the Popular Army
Active1937–1939
CountryFlag of Spain 1931 1939.svg Spain
BranchSpanish Republican Army
TypeMixed Brigade
RoleHome Defence
SizeFour battalions:
The 881, 882, 883 and 884
Part of (1937)
71st Division (1937 - 1938)
(1938 - 1939)
(1939)
Garrison/HQCiudad Real
EngagementsSpanish Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Artana and its surroundings, where the 221st MB was reported to be located before it disappeared.

The 221st Mixed Brigade (Spanish: 221.ª Brigada Mixta),[1][2] was a Mixed Brigade of the Spanish Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War. It was formed in the summer of 1937 in Ciudad Real with four battalions, the 881, 882, 883 and 884.

Data are lacking regarding the final fate of this mixed brigade in the mountainous Artana sector of the Eastern Iberian System. The families of the deceased soldiers speculate that the bodies of the disappeared members of this unit may have ended up in mass graves.[3][4]

History[]

The 221st Mixed Brigade was established in the summer 1937 in Ciudad Real with conscripts of the following call-up years: 1930, 1937 and 1938. The first commander of the unit was Infantry Commander , a former retired Captain. The commissar was who belonged to the Izquierda Republicana party.[1]

First phase[]

Although it was placed under the of the the 221st Mixed Brigade could not be formed until November.[1]

Already in December 1937 the 221st Mixed Brigade was transferred to the 71st Division of the of the (Ejército de Levante) and moved to Albuñol. In the new location the command of the 221st Mixed Brigade went to Militia Major .[1]

By 11 June 1938, as the situation in the Eastern Front grew critical, the 221st Mixed Brigade was placed under the of the and went to the combat line by the Mijares (Millars) river.[1][2]

Unknown end of the brigade[]

On 4 July 1938 the 221st Mixed Brigade was defending the area of La Vall d'Uixó and Alfondeguilla, from where it slowly withdrew until reaching the protection afforded by the XYZ Line. Between the 7 and 10 November it took part in an unsuccessful attack against the rebel lines in Nules and Castellón.[1]

On 4 February 1939 it joined the of the , substituting the in the road from Artana to the Aigualit Creek.[1] The final fate of this mixed brigade is still a mystery.

See also[]

  • Desaparecidos del franquismo
  • Mixed Brigades
  • White Terror (Spain)§Death toll
  • XYZ Line

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g SBHAC - Brigadas Mixtas del Ejército Popular, 221ª Brigada Mixta
  2. ^ a b Carlos Engel, Historia de las Brigadas Mixtas del E. P. de la República, 1999
  3. ^ Elche - Memoria Digital, 221 Brigada Mixta
  4. ^ Re: Necesito ayuda datos de la brigada mixta 221 y 222 en Castellon y Valencia

External links[]

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