The "Sixth of February" Battalion (, ) was a

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- Belgian

International Brigade The International Brigades () were soldiers recruited and organized by the Communist International to assist the Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. The International Brigades existed for two ...

battalion during the

Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War () was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republican faction (Spanish Civil War), Republicans and the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the Left-wing p ...

. The Battalion served in the XV and

XIV International Brigade 300px, A memorial commemorating the International Brigades The XIV International Brigade was one of several international brigades that fought for the Spanish Second Republic during the Spanish Civil War. History and structure It was raised on 2 ...

s. It took its name from the date of 1934 anticipated right-wing putsch against the Popular Front in France which was purportedly defeated by various left-wing groups.

History

The "Sixth of February" Battalion was founded on 20 December 1936 but did not become active until 31 January 1937. It was formed mainly by French and Belgian volunteers, although it also included

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n, Moroccan,

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, Zionist Jewish and Hungarian personnel. The name of the unit was in reference to the violent demonstration of 6 February 1934 in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, which was led by far-right leagues against the left-wing French parliament. Until mid-1937, it was part of the

XV International Brigade The XV International Brigade was one of the International Brigades formed to fight for the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. History The XVth Brigade mustered at Albacete in January 1937. It consisted of English-speaking volunte ...

. The Frenchman Gabriel Fort was its commander until 12 February 1937, when he was severely wounded during the

Battle of Jarama The Battle of Jarama (6–27 February 1937) was an attempt by General Francisco Franco's Nationalists to dislodge the Second Spanish Republic, Republican lines along the river Jarama, just east of Madrid, during the Spanish Civil War. Elite Spa ...

, where the unit fought between 11 and 27 February. Then, the Romanian Émile Schneiberg took command until his death two days later in the same battle. On 4 August 1937 it was moved to the

, and comprised three companies of riflemen. The 1st Company had a machine-gun section. Gabriel Fort was designated commander again on 7 August, but lost his vision in

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during the following fights. It was part of the

XIV International Brigade Bis 14 (fourteen) is the natural number following 13 and preceding 15. Mathematics Fourteen is the seventh composite number. Properties 14 is the third distinct semiprime, being the third of the form 2 \times q (where q is a higher prime). ...

between 27 September 1937 and 23 February 1938, but it belonged again to the XIV until its dissolution on 22 April 1938.

References

{{XV International Brigade Military history of Belgium Military history of France International Brigades Military units and formations established in 1936 Military units and formations disestablished in 1938 Communism in Belgium