Sacco-Vanzetti Battalion
The Sacco-Vanzetti Battalion (Basque: Sacco-Vanzetti Batailoia) was a military unit of the National Confederation of Labor (CNT) from Euskadi that acted on the Northern Front during the Spanish Civil War. It was No. 4 of the CNT Militias and No. 12 of Euzko Gudarostea.[1]
| Sacco-Vanzetti Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Sacco-Vanzetti Batailoia | |
| Active | September 1936 – October 1937 |
| Country |  Euskadi |
| Allegiance |  CNT-FAI |
| Branch | Confederal militias, Euzko Gudarostea |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Engagements | Spanish Civil War: |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Juan Rivera |
History
The Sacco-Vanzetti battalion, 4th of the battalions organized by the CNT in Euzkadi, was completed based on companies from Gipuzkoa and new ones organized in Bizkaia.
The battalion distinguished itself in December 1936, during the Battle of Legutiano, fighting for Cestafé and Nafarrate, and suffering no less than 150 casualties. It remained a little longer on the Otxandiano front. The Sacco-Vanzetti battalion then marched to the Udala area, fighting in the third decade of April for Karraskain, suffering heavy casualties that forced them to withdraw.
Later, the unit fought in Urrutxua, Bizkargi and, merged with the Durruti Battalion in Santander, during the Battle of Kolitza. The battalion disappeared with the fall of Santander.
References
- Vargas Alonso, Francisco Manuel (1996). Anarquismo y Milicias de la CNT en Euskadi (in Spanish). Bilbao: Eusko Ikaskuntza.