MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion collection [textual record, graphic material, cartographic material]

Collection consists of four series of textual records, 1935-1986, pertaining to the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion's activities during the Spanish Civil War. The first series contains documents compiled by Victor Howard (Hoar); the second series, the papers of Edward Cecil Smith; the third series, the records of the Friends of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion; and the fourth series, the papers of Walter E. Dent. These papers, which were compiled by the Veterans of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion, contain both historic and contemporary material relating to Battalion members. The material was collected for the Veterans of the MacKenzie-Papineau history project. Collection also contains graphic material including 855 photographs relating to the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion in the Spanish Civil War and one poster, 1936-1938, entitled ,"Iammistia", depicting La Pasionaria (?) by J.G. Gould, published by the Canadian Committee for a Democratic Spain.

Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion: During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), more than 1300 Canadians, primarily recruited by the Communist Party of Canada, volunteered to serve with the Spanish Republican forces in their fight against the combined fascist Nationalist forces of Spain. Initially many of these Canadian combatants served with American units, such as the Abraham Lincoln or George Washington Battalions of the English-speaking XVth Brigade. On 1 July 1937, the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion was formed as a distinct Canadian unit (60th Battalion) of the XVth International Brigade, attached to the 35th Division of the Spanish Republican Army. The Battalion participated in five significant campaigns and many other minor engagements, and earned itself an admirable reputation as a military unit. The Government of Canada had maintained a non-interventionist policy and passed legislation making it illegal for Canadian citizens to participate in the Spanish conflict. Upon returning home, members of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion began a protracted campaign to gain official recognition from the Canadian Government for their service in Spain. Instrumental in that cause was the Veterans of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion, an organization established in 1946 by a number of battalion survivors. Common usage treats all Canadian volunteers in Spain, whether with the Battalion or not, as "Mac-Paps."

196-89
1971-093 NPC
1981-148 NPC
1989-293 DAP

MG30-E173