character. The atmosphere was one of war. Many buildings 
were shattered by shells with gaping holes replacing windows. 
Some buildings were completely destroyed, only iron and 
cement remaining. Barricades spanned the streets, with open-
ings for street-cars and autos to pass.

Sand bags covered windows of stores and banks. To get 
into the Gran Via Cafe, one had to go down as if into a trench, 
and walk through a door made of sandbags. Cafes were filled 
with soldiers and officers, talking and singing, drinking wine 
and vermouth. Bill-boards and fences were covered with 
posters issued by various antif-ascist organizations, in various 
ways, expressing one thought: Unity will defeat the enemy.

While crossing the Puerta del Sol, the main square in the 
city, sirens sounded alarm. Enemy airplanes were approach-
ing. Anti-aircraft guns began to fire. Looking up, we saw 
twelve airplanes high in the air. Most people went about 
calmly; some hurried to the subway for shelter. As if from 
nowhere, six Government airplanes appeared. Joyful shouts of 
"Viva nuestra gloriosa!"

Toward the evening the sound of firing machine-guns was 
heard. It came from the front lines which ran through Uni-
versity City, a suburb of Madrid. No one seemed to pay any 
attention.

To the Franf

ON June 26th, we received orders to complete all work on 
the tanks within two days. We hoped that this meant 
that we were going to the front. We were disappointed when 
two, three, and four days passed and we were still in the camp. 
There was a feeling in the air, however, that something was 
being planned. On July 2nd., orders were received to move. 
My company left on July 3rd. Ten-ton White trucks were 
used in transporting the tanks for the required long distance. 
A caravan of fifteen trucks, loaded with tanks, rolled over the 
paved roads.

We stopped near a village for two days, about fifteen 
miles behind the lines. At 3.30 a.m., of July 5th, my company 

10