Leva del biberón facts for kids
The "Leva del Biberón" (pronounced: LEH-vah del bee-beh-RON), also known as the "Quinta del Biberón" (which means "baby bottle group" in Spanish), was a special group of young soldiers. They were boys aged 14 to 18 who were called to fight in the last years of the Spanish Civil War.
These young people were called up by the government of the Second Spanish Republic in April 1938. This happened when the troops of Francisco Franco were gaining control of many areas, including cities like Lleida and Gandesa. The Republic needed more soldiers to defend itself.
Why Were They Called?
About 30,000 young people from all over Spain were called to join the Republican side. They came from places like Murcia, Catalonia, and Valencia.
At first, these young soldiers were given easier jobs, like helping with supplies. But by July 25, 1938, many of them were already fighting in big battles, like the Battle of the Ebro. Some of these kids were only 14 years old.
It is believed they got their nickname "baby bottle group" from Federica Montseny. She was a political figure who reportedly said, "Seventeen years old? But they are still sucking the baby bottle!" This showed how young these soldiers were.
These young fighters took part in very tough battles, including those at the Segre front. Some were even sent to special mountain units in the Lleida Pyrenees.
What Happened After the War?
After the war ended, these young soldiers had very different experiences.
- Some went to live in France as exiles. There, some ended up in special camps, like those in Argelès-sur-Mer and Agde.
- Others were held in prisons or camps in Spain, such as in Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
- Many were sent to work in different parts of Spain or had to do military service in cities like Zaragoza and Barcelona.
- Some were even freed by Franco's side if they were captured. This was because not all of them supported the side they were forced to fight for.
In 1983, many years later, about 307 survivors and 412 of their family members formed a group. They called themselves the "Agrupación de Supervivientes de la Leva del Biberón-41" to remember their experiences.
See also
In Spanish: Leva del Biberón para niños
