Another thread over the next few days on the background and activity of Spaniards fighting in the British Army in WW2 with an emphasis (this time) on those Europe belonging to Labour Companies in 1939-40 or later in the Pioneer Corps serving from 1939/40 to 1945.... 1/

A bit of background first.....with the end of the Spanish Civil War 1 Apr 1939, thousands of Spanish had streamed across the border into France. The majority were interned by the French Authorities in Camps across the country.... 2/

The French passed laws in May 1939 and in Jan 1940 to best use the hundreds of thousands of foreign labour now in the country. By Apr 40 there were more than 220 Labour Coys (either Compagnies de Travailleurs Étrangers (CTE) or Préstataires Militaires Étrangers (PME)). 3/

In Apr 40 the French Armed Forces announced that the 104,000 Ex-Republican soldiers in France had now been pressed into service. 55,000 in CTE, 40,000 into industry and agriculture and 6,000 directly into Military Service (either the French Foreign Legion or the RMVE). 4/

Spaniards in French Service would go on to distinguish themselves in 13e DBLE, 2e RMVE, OTHER North African Units, in the Middle East and then in Europe in the 2e Division Blindée, the most famous being La Nueve, the Recce Coy of the Div. #LaNueve #LiberationofParis 5/

When the BEF deployed to France in 1939, its was soon clear that a large supporting labour force was required. Three sources of labour were studied: Préstataires, Italians in France that were not Préstataires and members of the International Bdes who had fought in Spain. 6/

The French agreed to release the Préstataires and Italians in Sep 1939. Some four or five Spanish of PME/CTE would serve with the British whilst remaining in the French Chain of Command. One of these was the 185th Spanish Labour Company which had been established at Gurs… 7/

This Coy of 250 Spaniards moved to support the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and was fully integrated into the BEF in the area of La Chapelle-Launay, St Nazaire. Here they worked on railway construction mostly and were housed in old railway carriages and then in an abbey. 8/

The Coy is under the command of Capt RD Smith but Lt Joaquín Ferrándiz Boj is responsible for the Spaniards. He had been a fighter pilot in the Spanish Civil War and commander of the 3rd Polikarpov I-15 Squadron. Seen here second from the left.... 9/

Miguel de Miguel Montañes, a member of the 185th Spanish Coy, gave an eye witness account of his time with the BEF. He said that relations with the British were excellent and the Spaniards were treated well. Not many of the Coy were able to escape when the Germans arrived...10/

Montañes notes that a group of 16 was able to get to St Nazaire, signal a boat to turn round, embark on it (The Lechistan) to find it was full of welcoming Polish troops. The 16 arrived in England on 20 Jun joining what became the No. 1 Spanish Coy. Others were not so lucky.11/

Continuing the thread on the background and activity of Spaniards fighting in the British Army in WW2 with an emphasis (this time) on those in Europe belonging to Labour Companies in 1939-40 or later in the Pioneer Corps serving from 1939/40 to 1945. 12/

Further to the N in France many Spanish Labour Coys worked with the BEF. When the German offensive began in May 40 it is reckoned that some 8,000 Spaniards were in this area. These were the 30 or so Coys numbered 87th to 120th and also some 50 or so numbered 120th to 174th. 13/

Out of these Coys, many were able to withdraw S but some became embroiled in the withdraw to Dunkirk. None more so than the 111th to 118th Coys which ended up belonging to the groups that defended Blockhaus 10 to 13. The 114th, 1117th and 118th were practically wiped out. 14/

The 118th Coy had been in Cassel, kept up a defence and then some 90 had made it to Dunkirk. A few small groups got away as well as some from the 117th. In total, only a few hundred Spaniards got to England from these groups. Many were returned to France via Brittany. 15/

Background and activity of Spaniards fighting in the British Army in WW2 looking at those in Europe in Labour Companies in 1939-40 or in the Pioneer Corps serving from 1940-1945. @benkite1 @wwiistories @MattBak63401251 @bermicourt @LegerBattleTour @BattlefieldBen @3468marsh

By the end of Jun 1940 a few hundred Spaniards had made it to England. They were also joined by a large group that had just returned from Narvik in the 13e DBLE and had refused to leave overseas and serve with the French. The majority of these would serve with the British. 16/

These revolting legionnaires along with other Spaniards would then make up the Number 1 Spanish Coy of what would become the Royal Pioneer Corps which would exist for the rest of WW2. Most of them signed up at the end of Jul 1940...17/

According to "A War History of the Royal Pioneer Corps 1939-1945" by Major E. H. Rhodes-Wood, " "The men had originally been members of the Spanish Republican Army who, at the end of the Spanish Civil War, had made their escape into France where they had been interned." 18/

"On the outbreak of the Second World War some had availed themselves of the opportunity to join the French Foreign Legion and served with distinction in Norway. Others had volunteered for labour duties in France where they had served in 185 Company. " 19/

"All had succeeded in making their way to England when the European mainland fell under German domination, but were still under control of their French officers. Arrangements had been made for their return to Spain, but ......the men had refused to embark at Avonmouth." 20/

"Their French military officers thereupon contacted the French Military Mission in London for instructions and
received orders that one in every three should be shot "pour encourager les autres". At this stage the British authorities intervened.." 21/

"The British relieved the French officers of their command, and after an interval of indecision sent the men to No. 3 Pioneer Corps Training Centre at Westward Ho" where on the 17th July 1940 they enlisted in the British Army. " 22/

" Strange entries, fictitious names and addresses were on their attestation papers, due to the fear of repercussions to their families in Spain. One - when asked for his name, replied "good morning" in French - his British Army record shows his name as "Jacques Bonjour". 23/

Another example was Miguel Bon, born in 1917, he fought in the Spanish Civil War, joined the 13e DBLE and the Spanish No 1 Coy in 1940 (possibly enlisted14th Sep 1940, Sandwich). His eventually demob was 1946 and he then married an English girl and settled on the South Coast. 24/

The Coy would eventually deploy to Europe soon after D-Day. Many other interesting things happened with it. The training of members of the Coy by SOE for use in Spain should the Germans invade is covered in Bernard O'Connor's book "Blowing up Iberia" 25/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51148555-blowing-up-iberia

More to follow on Spaniards serving in the British Army in WW2. End of thread giving the background and activity of Spaniards fighting in the British Army in WW2 looking at those in Europe in Labour Companies in 1939-40 or in the Pioneer Corps serving from 1940-1945. END/