Military life; Military training; Childhood & youth; family
Herman is in training and requests photographs of the family, especially of his younger brother Jay. He wants to make sure Spanish children have the same opportunity for a happy childhood as his brother. He includes his address through the SRI in...
Correspondence; Military maneuvers; Military tactics; Military life; Fascists;
Herman describes his first taste of battle. He explains that the troops dig gun trenches under the cover of darkness at night. He discusses a success over the fascists near Teruel. He encloses a picture of himself and a Spanish lieutenant in his...
Relations between the sexes; Cultural relations; Military life; Military training; Military facilities; Homesickness;
Harry tells Mim that he is grateful to get so many letters from her and is very upset that he does not receive letters from his friends at the Youth Theatre. Describes his new quarters, which he shares with two friends. The three roommates...
Harry writes to Mim asking her to send the musical score of "We are the Fighting Anti-Fascists" to the newspaper New Masses. Asks Mim to make a few changes to the lyrics so it can be published in the July issue. Lyrics included.
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...
Military life; Communists; Politicians; Censored works;
Harry tells Mim that he is 60 kilometers from the front and is enjoying the tranquility. He is looking forward to his two days in Madrid and plans on spending his 500 pesetas in a "royal fashion." Harry reports that La Pasionaria (Dolores...
War casualties; Soldiers; Air warfare; Prisoners of war; Military mobilizations; Military officers; Nazis; Fascists;
Harry has just received a letter from Mim in response to his account of being at the front for the first time in July. He is now a hardened soldier; the planes and shells no longer bother him and dodging bullets is just a part of everyday life. ...
Travel; Homesickness; Singing; Boxing; Military discharges;
Harry describes his trip to Madrid and how the city has made him homesick for New York. He writes that their friend Bernie expects to be sent home, most likely for psychiatric reasons. Harry says that his parents are reunited and imagines it is...
Ernie tells Mim that he is doing well in Spain. He, Harry Malofsky, and Bernie Abraham have been selected as head of the [entertainment?] committee and have re-written the lyrics to "Honey-Honey;" they will present it the following night.
Paul has finally received mail from his family and it has given him the mental push he need to go on. He discusses Art Wilt, a fallen comrade, and hopes Art's mother will take solace in the fact that her son died for a better world. Paul...
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...
Herman describes how well he and the others have been trained. In the course of training, he has lost 22 pounds and has become a "pretty good shot." He has also been promoted to sergeant. He reassures his father that he will not be reckless and...
Military hospitals; Medical aspects of war; Medical personnel;
Herman writes from a hospital where he is recovering from yellow jaundice. He is sure his mother would love to work in a place where people from many different countries come together for a common cause. He discusses how well the sick are treated...
Herman discusses his new found respect for letter writing. He is glad to hear that Marty has given up superficiality come around to real knowledge and understanding. He says that his time on the front has opened his eyes to reality, and how...
Correspondence; Military life; Activists; Military officers; Military personnel; Military scouts;
Herman thanks Uncle Marty for hes letter and is glad to hear that there is much support for the Lincoln Brigade back in the states. He asks Marty to "square" him with his father, to try to sway his opinion of Herman's service in Spain. He offers...
Military life; Consulates; Military training; Military camps;
Jim writes to his mother that he spent four days in Barcelona and can see that there is no chance of him getting into an artillery unit. He says the International Brigade is very disorganized, as they have just moved north, from Albacete. He...
Correspondence; Military life; Military maneuvers;
Herman tells his parents about his agreeable daily routine: he watches at the gun from 5am to 9am, "loafs around all day," then he is on again from 5pm to 9pm.
Harry describes the beauty of Spain. He is surprised by the number of anti-fascists that have come from as far away as Palestine. He is also surprised that as a life-long communist, he should find himself fighting for democracy. Harry hopes that...
Harry writes about the International Brigades taking the city of Quinto. He says that he watched one Nazi officer commit suicide and twenty others executed. The fascists had thought the IB was the Russian army and they surrendered, leaving their...
