War; War destruction & pillage; Air warfare; Air operations; Military mobilizations; Fascism; Fascists;
Harry tells Mim that he was been fighting for the last seven days and only now has the time to write. He doesn't want to discuss politics and doesn't want to be romantic about the war, but he describes the terror of war. Harry unloads on Mim an...
Paul delivers the news of Harry Malofsky's death. He writes about Harry's work ethic, as well as the songs he wrote that will be heard throughout the world as the sound of the International Brigade. There is a censor mark over the details of...
Paul writes from aboard the "Lancastria" ocean liner. He describes his table's server, an Englishman with a thick cockney accent. Paul finds it hard to concentrate on his world politics books with so many young people on the ship. He plans to...
Paul writes a quick note to say that he will be in Oostende, Belgium, the next day. He writes that even on the immense ocean, he felt very compressed, especially without a newspaper.
Paul is now in Paris after sailing across the English Channel into Oostend, Belgium. He writes this note on stationary from the Hotel Montana (still in existence). He describes the beautiful town of Oostend and plans to visit the Parisian...
Travel; Orange trees; Orange orchards; Military life;
Paul has arrived in Spain and it reminds him of New York State, but there is an abundance of orange trees. Since he has just arrived he is not sure which branch of the International Brigade he will be in, but he is sure he will fit in. Paul...
Paul writes that he has been placed in the signal corps because of his background in engineering. He is glad that he is useful and gives him the morale boost he was looking for. His battalion has just been named: the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion,...
Communists; Fascists; Jewish-Arab relations; Political purges;
Paul writes that it has been one year since the fascists invaded Spain. He also mentions that some brigaders have just come from Palestine, expelled because they were communists. They say that Palestine is in the worst economic crisis of its...
Rain; Radio broadcasting; Signals & signaling; Baseball; Music;
Paul describes the torrential rain but is glad that his unit is in a house, very dry and comfortable. He explains his work in the signal corps to Mus, describing the telephone work and communications he is responsible for. Paul says he and the...
Political participation; Correspondence; Activists;
Paul writes that the Spanish have joined the Americans and his Spanish language skills are improving. He is impressed that the youth have already started building "new Spain." Paul encloses (not included) pins that he picked up at a store in the...
Fund raising; International organizations; Communists;
Paul sends Mus several books from the Socorro Rojo Internacional (SRI, or Red Aid International) and hopes she can fill one out and pass the others along.
Paul describes a two-day train trip with the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. He affirms his decision to come to Spain and is truly enjoying himself. Asks Mus to send chewing gum, cigarettes, pen fillers, etc. He also warns her to be wary of death...
Paul encloses a copy of The Volunteer for Liberty (not included) so that they can use the articles for their work in New York. Paul is feeling well and I enjoying the outdoor life. He writes that the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion has been on the...
Paul speaks to Bert in this letter which is mainly about the Young Communist League training school and the need for competent leaders. Paul discusses Marxism and the ideal Communist. Asks the family to send him papers, candy, cigarettes, and...
