It was raised on 20 December 1936 with volunteers mainly from
France and
Belgium, under General "Walter" (
Karol Świerczewski). This Brigade was the fourth of the international brigades, and it mixed veterans with new, idealistic volunteers. It was formally named the
Marseillaise Brigade, after the French revolutionary song (and national anthem).
Units With subsequent consolidations and reorganisations, the XIV International Brigade included, among others, the following battalions: all or elements of the following units: •
Commune de Paris Battalion •
Domingo Germinal Battalion •
Henri Barbusse Battalion •
Louise Michel (I) Battalion •
Louise Michel (II) Battalion •
Marsellaise Battalion •
Pierre Brachet Battalion •
Primera Unidad de Avance Battalion •
Nine Nations Battalion ("Sans nom" or "Neuf Nationalités") •
Sixth of February Battalion (Franco-Belgian) •
Vaillant-Couturier Battalion Engagements The brigade fought in the battles of
Lopera, the
Corunna Road,
Jarama, and the
Segovia Offensive. After the Nationalist strategic victory in the
Battle of Brunete (6–25 July 1937), heavy losses reduced the brigade strength from four to two battalions. However, the brigade lived on and was able to take part in the last Republican offensive of the war. As with all of the volunteer international brigades, the members of the XIV International Brigade faced a dark future after the eventual Nationalist victory. ==See also==