The Comintern announces a call for volunteers from all countries to fight against the "fascist rebellion" in Spain

•  Following initial spontaneous arrivals of foreign anti-fascists in Spain, top Soviet and Comintern leadership formalized the recruitment drive in September 1936. 

• The Base: Paris served as the primary coordination and transit hub, managed largely by the French Communist Party. [1, 2]

• The Destination: Volunteers converged on Albacete, Spain, which became the official training and headquarters base for the International Brigades starting in October 1936. [1, 2]

Scale of the Effort

• Global Turnout: An estimated 32,000 to 35,000 foreign volunteers from over 50 countries traveled to Spain to fight for the Republic.

• Impact: The international units played a critical role in stopping the Nationalist advance during the Siege of Madrid in November 1936