Juan Modesto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Modesto
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| Birth name | Juan Guilloto León |
| Nickname(s) | Modesto |
| Born | 24 September 1906 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Kingdom of Spain |
| Died | 16 April 1969 (aged 62) Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Republic (1936–1939) Soviet Union (1939–1945) |
| Service/ |
Spanish Army Spanish Republican Army Red Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1945 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | (1936), Republican Army of the North (1937), 5th Army Corps (1937–1938), Army of the Ebro (1938), Army of the Centre (March 1939) |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War
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Juan Guilloto León, often called Modesto or Juan Modesto, was an important military leader. He served the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War. He was born on September 24, 1906, and passed away on April 16, 1969.
Contents
About Juan Modesto
Growing Up and Early Work
Juan Guilloto was born in El Puerto de Santa María, a town in Cádiz, Spain. Before joining the army, he worked at a sawmill. He later served in Morocco. There, he became a corporal, which is a leader of a small group of soldiers, in the Regulares colonial troops.
In 1930, Juan joined the Communist Party of Spain (PCE). By 1933, he was put in charge of the Milicias Antifascistas Obreras y Campesinas (MAOC). This group was a special force for the Party. He also helped organize other groups that supported workers and helped people in need.
Role in the Spanish Civil War
When the Spanish Civil War began in July 1936, Juan Guilloto quickly became a key figure. He helped lead the attack on the Cuartel de la Montaña barracks. He also fought in the Battle of Guadarrama in the Guadarrama Mountain Range.
He became one of the main leaders of the Fifth Regiment. By October 1936, he was its commander. He fought in many important battles that year. These included battles in Talavera de la Reina, Santa Olalla, and Illescas. He also helped defend Madrid during its siege.
Key Battles and Promotions
Juan Modesto also played a big part in the Second Battle of the Corunna Road. In February 1937, he fought in the Battle of Jarama. His skills led to his promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Popular Army. He then became the commander of the 5th Army Corps.
Under his command, the 5th Army Corps fought in major battles. These included the Battle of Belchite and the Battle of Brunete in July 1937. He also led troops in the Battle of Teruel in late 1937 and early 1938. On August 26, 1938, he was promoted again to colonel. He then took charge of the Army of the Ebro.
After the rebel army took over Catalonia, Negrín named Modesto a general. On March 2, 1939, he became the head of the Central Army.
Life in Exile
After a change in leadership in Spain, Modesto left the country by airplane on March 6. He went to the Soviet Union, where his military rank was recognized.
During World War II, he served with the Red Army. He also worked with Bulgarian Communist forces. Later, he moved to Prague.
Modesto wrote a book about his experiences during the war. It was called Soy del Quinto Regimento (meaning I am of the Fifth Regiment). The book was published in Paris in 1969. He passed away in Prague in 1969.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Modesto para niños
- Antifascist Worker and Peasant Militias (MAOC)
- Eastern Region Army Group (GERO)
Published works
- Soy del Quinto Regimento (I am of the Fifth Regiment), published in Paris in 1969.
