Dabrowski Battalion
The Dabrowski Battalion, also known as Dąbrowszczacy (Polish pronunciation: [dɔmbrɔfˈʂt͡ʂat͡sɨ]), was a battalion of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. It was initially formed entirely of volunteers, "chiefly composed of Polish miners recently living and working in France and Belgium". Due to the relatively short travelling distances, these men were amongst the first to arrive in Spain. The battalion had a strong Polish flavour and even when, towards the end of the war, Poles were heavily outnumbered by Spanish troops, the officers and non-commissioned officers were still predominantly Polish. It also contained a significant nucleus of Red Army officers. It fought from 1936-1939.
| Dabrowski Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1936–1939 |
| Country | Poland |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Branch | 11th Mobile Brigade (XI "Hans Beimler" International Brigade) XII International Brigade 150th International Brigade XIII International Brigade |
| Type | Battalion of the International Brigades |
| Nickname(s) | Dąbrowszczacy |
| Motto(s) | For our freedom and yours |
| Mascot(s) | Jarosław Dąbrowski |
| Engagements | Siege of Madrid Battle of Jarama |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Józef Strzelczyk |
The battalion was raised in Albacete (the headquarters depot of the International Brigades) in mid-October 1936.