Iron Column

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Iron Column Spanish Anarchist militia column formed during the Spanish Civil War.

The Iron Column was formed in Valencia at the start of the Spanish revolution by local anarchists including Rafael Marti (nicknamed 'Pancho Villa'), José and Pedro Pellicer, Elias Manzanera and José Segarra.

The Iron Column stood for defence (and extension) of the popular revolution rather than defence of the Spanish republic. Among its earliest acts were the liberation of convicts from the San Miguel de los Reyes prison and the burning of judicial archives. Alongside other militia columns, the Iron Column fought on the Teruel front.

The Iron Column resisted the government plan of turning the popular militias into regular army units longer than any other group. The Iron Column became the 83rd Mixed Brigade (with many members who had previously been delegates becoming officers).

References

Bolloten, Burnett. The Spanish revolution: the left and the struggle for power during the civil war. ISBN 0807840777
Manzanera, Elías. Iron Column, The: Testimony of an Anarchist. ISBN 1873605196
Paz, Abel. The Iron Column. ISBN 1873605048
An 'Uncontrollable from the Iron Column'. A day mournful and overcast. ISBN 1873605331

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