“Imagine half-tracks rolling through Paris. Those half-tracks bore names. Guadalajara Teruel Guernica Ebro. These were not French names. They echoed a different struggle. A struggle fought in Spain. This is Rue des Républicains Espagnols. It commemorates those Spanish Republicans. They helped liberate Paris.
The story of Rue des Républicains Espagnols is intertwined. It involves the liberation of Paris in 1944. These soldiers were part of the 9th Company. This company was known as “La Nueve”. Nueve means nine in Spanish. Most of the company were Spanish Republicans. They had fled to North Africa after Franco’s victory in 1939.
After the Allied landing in 1942, they joined the French forces. They fought against the Afrika Korps in Tunisia. La Nueve joined the 2nd Armored Division. It was under French command. Raymond Dronne and Amado Granell led them. The company included anarchists socialists and communists. They were allowed to fly the Spanish Republic’s flag.
These men landed in Normandy on August 1 1944. They fought bravely. Their courage was recognized. Paris rose up against the German occupation on August 20. General Leclerc wanted to rush to Paris. Charles de Gaulle supported him. On August 23 authorization came. The division set out for Paris.
On August 24 La Nueve entered Paris. They went through the Porte d’Italie. Lieutenant Amado Granell’s section reached the city center first. They arrived before 930 PM. The first armored vehicles at the Hôtel de Ville were not tanks. They were La Nueve’s half-tracks. These vehicles carried names of Spanish battles.
The half-track “Ebro” fired the first shots. They targeted a German machine gun nest. Lieutenant Amado Granell was the first Allied officer received. Representatives of the French Resistance greeted him.
On August 25 La Nueve secured key buildings. These included the Chamber of Deputies and Place de la Concorde. On August 26 La Nueve escorted General de Gaulle. It was during his famous Champs-Élysées parade. They carried the Second Spanish Republic’s colors. The Nueve displayed a giant banner. It had the Republic’s colors. Franco protested. The French government ignored him.
La Nueve continued fighting. They captured 300 German soldiers. General de Gaulle decorated Dronne and Spanish officers. La Nueve helped liberate Strasbourg. Captain Dronne praised his Spanish soldiers. He noted their courage and combat experience.
On May 5 La Nueve participated in the capture. They seized Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest” in Berchtesgaden. By war’s end La Nueve suffered many casualties. Only 16 Spanish soldiers remained active.
After the war their role was forgotten. Official narratives favored French contributions. In 2004 Paris honored La Nueve. A plaque was placed on Quai Henri-IV. Plaques were also placed at Square Gustave-Mesureur and Place Nationale. In 2015 the Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve was dedicated. It is a lasting tribute.
Rue des Républicains Espagnols is a reminder. It recalls the bravery and sacrifice. It commemorates those who fought for freedom. It honors those whose story was almost lost.”