83 years ago, the last elements of the Spanish Republican Army were crossing the border to France in what was known as La Retirada. For many it was the beginning of the end of a journey that would last for years even #ContinuingtheFight in the British Army in #WW2. A thread 1/ From the 5 of Feb 1939, French authorities started to allow lines of Republican soldiers to cross over. Between the 9 & 11 Feb most of the Republican Army in the Eastern region of Spain had crossed into France. 2/

What do the SOE, Kim Philby, Peter Kemp, Ian Fleming and Hollywood actor Alfred Molina have in common? No1 Spanish Coy of the Pioneer Corps of course! A thread over a few days giving insights into some of the Spaniards that fought in the British Army in WW2... #ContinuingtheFight The Coy was formed this very month 80 years ago at No. 3 Pioneer Corps Training Centre at Westward Ho. The Coy performed splendid service in Britain from its formation in 1940 and during the Western European Campaign from Aug 1944 until the end of the war..... #ContinuingtheFight