The war of Ines

Memories of a republican spring and a fascist autumn. (Spain, 1931-1936)

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After two hectic years in New York I returned to my hometown to take a well-deserved rest. Since I don't know how to be idle I thought of writing something light without too many complications, and looking for a topic I came across an unexpected subject: the history of the battle of Sigüenza, the first important battle of the Civil War, which I didn't even know myself. The reason for this silence was that the Bishopric had a decisive participation in the battle, allowing that, under the direct orders of General Moscardó, a third of the cathedral was destroyed with large caliber artillery, only to force the surrender of the militiamen sheltered inside, along with numerous civilians, women and children, who would have died under the rubble had it not been for the Austrian captain of the POUM, Mika Feldman, who organized the defense inside.One of the many tragic anecdotes of this bloody battle shocked me deeply. A militia woman, nicknamed "Chata", was hit in the leg by shrapnel from a shell that shattered the altar of Santa Librada, where the relics of the saint, patron saint of the city, were supposed to be kept. Some militiamen were able to escape the siege by climbing a wall in a poorly guarded area, but "Chata" could not escape with her comrades because of her serious wounds. Faced with the inevitable surrender, she begged them to take her life so as not to fall into the hands of the rebels.