Gaps in the Ranks

The decision to give extended leave to men witl1 long service resulted in the departure from the Lincoln Battalion of the veterans of the first days of Jarama. Paul Burns, labor journalist, who by sheer ability and oustanding courage had become successively Company Commander and Battalion Adjutant, Went from hospital to his native Boston. He had been wounded at Jarama when bringing in another wounded comrade, but had staggered along until both reached safety. Wounded again at Brunete, in the knee, he had —— with characteristic concern for others —— tried to get off the stretcher and crawl, for “the journey was too long for the bearers”.

The three “fighting O’Flaherty” brothers — Charles, and Frank woun- ded — also went on home—leave. Eddie, the youngest of them had stolen away to Spain and had come unscathed through all Jarama campains.

Garland, Negro machine—gunner, went as instructor to a Training Camp. Sid Levine, after a brief period as instructor at the Base went in the same capacity to the Brigade. Eddie Erlich, machine—gunner, went to another post. Young Bob Klonsky we11t home grieving becau- se he was deemed too young to fight — so1ne five months after he had first entered the trenches! '

Lieutenant Tanz, Transport and Supply Officer of the Lincolns, and former Labor attorney in New York, we11t to undertake equally arduous duties in another sphere. Lieutenant Elias Begelman, another veteran of the first Jar~::.:-.1 days, was promoted to be Brigade Liaison Officer, in whicli capacity he served throughout the Aragon offensive: he still re- mains on the Brigade Staff. A

The hospitals claimed many good Wasl1i11gton men: Lieut. Yardis, Company Commander, Al Robbins, Bill Brennan, Sol Rose and many others went to recuperate from their wounds. Dave lVIcKelvey White, former Professor in a Brooklyn College, and machine-gunner in Spain, and Commissar Dave Mates went back to the States to resume their work there, as did Harry Haywood, former Assistant Brigade Commis- sar and Denis Jordan of the Lincolns.

Ralph Bates, who had served throughout the Brunete campaign on the Brigade Staff, went to America on a lecture—tour. Captain Marko- vicz transferred to another post. Lamb, Lincoln—Washington Adjutant,

188

._.._. _ . .,............_._...-..