2. smíšená brigáda [1936-1939]

The 2nd Mixed Brigade was formed on 13 October 1936 at Ciudad Real and was assigned to the 7th Division of the II Army Corps. On 15 November it left in two trips by rail for Madrid, arrived at Huerta and proceeded on foot to the Ocaña-Noblejas area and from there to the front line. On 17 November it went into reserve on the Ciudad Universitaria front and repeatedly covered the vanguard in the sector from the south wall of the Casa de Campo to the Puerta del Ángel; in March 1937 it had to be withdrawn for reorganization.., Because it was virtually destroyed, it then became part of the 10th Division of the I Army Corps. From 9 to 14 April it was used in the attack against Cerro Garabitas, which produced no positive results and had considerable losses, including the death of its commander Martínez de Aragón. The brigade had to be reorganised again. The 2nd Mixed Brigade took part in the Battle of Brunete, in which it captured Villanueva del Pardillo on 7 July and manoeuvred between the Aulencia and Guadarrama rivers. The following day it collaborated in the capture of Villafranca Castle and went on the defensive by relieving the 31st Division forces in the Villanueva de la Cañada sector. After the Battle of Brunete, the brigade returned to the Madrid front line in the Monte Panarras sector, where it remained almost uninterrupted until the spring of 1938. After the arrival of the Frankists to the sea via Vinaroz, the 2nd Mixed Brigade went to the Levant front and tried to block the way of General Aranda's forces via Maestrazgo. On 22 April it covered the Villafranca-Cantavieja-Iglesuela del Cid sector, where it suffered heavy losses. After a new reorganization, it continued to defend the Levante front until the end of the year. In the first decade of January 1939, incorporated into the 64th Division of the XVII Army Corps, it was sent to Extremadura, in the Hinojosa del Duque-Valsequillo sector. Its mission was to destroy the remnants of the forces that were inside the Valsequillo pocket. To this end, it attacked Sierra Trapera and Mocitas-Mataborrachas, and in the battle was sent into the pocket to cover the retreat. In all of these battles the 2nd Composite Brigade suffered heavy casualties which reduced its forces to two battalions. The brigade was concentrated at Santa Eufemia to be reorganized.


Source: www.sbhac.net