The term "maqui" comes from the french term "maquis" ("a small mountain, covered with weeds"), which comes in turn from the corsican term "macchia", meaning "dense, deep forest" or "thick vegetation". It was the expression used for privateers when, fleeing from the authorities, they would seek refuge in the mountains of Corsica.In France, the term was first used to refer to a group of guerrillas of the French resistance against the German occupation of France during World War II. The resistance fighters in these encampments were referred to as "maquisards".The term became synonymous with the anti-Franco guerrillas in Spain. Many of the Spanish maquis also participated in the French resistance movement.Spanish Maquis WIKIPEDIA
“The History is written by the victors and switches from hero to bandit depending only on the range of the guns”
Secundino Serrano, Spanish historian
I have never been lucky. When the war started I was living in a small village close to Madrid. This village was on the Republican side.
The Government sent me to Madrid in a truck, designating me to a company in the Republican Army. If you were lucky you got a shotgun and some ammunition. My recruit training consisted only of some advice from my mates and a few rounds (never enough). Then my battalion was sent to the frontline.
There was no hope for us in this war as we were fighting against a very professional and organized army. Moreover, Germany was sending new aircrafts, weapons and troops against us all the time.
The situation had only one end and the war finished with an unconditional victory for the National Army. Incredibly, I had survived three years of a cruel and bloody war.
When I came back to my village I realized that it was not the same place I had left and that it would never be the same. A lot of pain and anger was created by the war. In addition, the Francoists authorities had imprisoned the suspects who were linked with the extinct Republican faction.
All these political prisoners had no hope and their chances were very dark. Their best option was hard labour. The other two involved facing a firing squad or being shot on the way to a concentration camp for apparently attempting to escape.
With these prospects for my future, the only alternative was to join the guerrillas in the mountains and wait for better times while trying to disrupt the government forces as much as possible.
Summers are not bad in the mountains. The nights are fresh and the days are sunny and wonderful. However, winters are very dark, cold and seemingly endless. Even the wolves are unable to spend the winters in the mountains!
We survive these very hard times thanks to our friend´s and relative´s help. They give us food, cloths, blankets, medicine and information. We call them “enlaces” (“links”).
We organize different actions against the Francoist government: sabotage, quick and small attacks against their barracks, and stealing for our own subsistence.
Bit by bit we realize all our efforts are useless. All the damage that we incur is repaired quickly and the reprisals against us are worse, often taking the form of brutal attacks against our defenceless friends and relatives.
But we have a chance now. Our “enlaces” give us very valuable information. There will be a meeting with all the highest commanders in the army taking place in the old mill. This place is close to our neighbouring village.
And now is where I appear. My name is Juan and I volunteered for the most dangerous mission ever - to blow up the old mill with all the generals inside!
I don´t know how to do it yet, but I´m sure about one thing. I am in this, heart and soul! While blood remains in my veins there will be hope!
maquis location
maquis location
(police with weapons)
(police with weapons)
