Almost 80 years after the liberation of the county town from the Nazi occupation, several associations are calling to come together today so as not to forget the struggles and battles led by the Spanish Guerrillas so that Ariège regains freedom. At the forefront of these associations, AAGEFI, Amicale desformer Spanish Guerrillas in France. These soldiers, reinforced by the French FTP, fought fierce and decisive battles between August 19 and 20, 1944, facing a numerically superior enemy. The Spanish Guerrillas movement was formed in Ariège in the spring of 1942. In Foix, the occupier had a garrison of around 250 well-equipped men. But the determination of the attackers did the rest. Pedro Abascal commanded the Spanish troops. The fighting that ensued saw, little by little, the Germans abandon the station, then the old bridge, having no other choice but to take refuge at the Lycée Gabriel Fauré, their headquarters. Negotiations begin. The German commander, stunned, discovered an English major, Probert, alongside the French. Disconcerted and undoubtedly discouraged by the effectiveness of the fire directed against his men, the officer decided to surrender. The matter will not be a foregone conclusion: the next day, the French maquisards and the Spanish guerrillas will have to rout a strong German column returning from Ax-les-Thermes.
Still current concerns
The Friendly of Former Guerrillas, a recognized association of veterans, was created in 1976. However, it was preceded by another association, the Friendly of Former FFI and Spanish Resistance Fighters, born in 1946 and banned in 1950. pressure from Madrid was undoubtedly decisive. “From 1950 to 1976, we were deprived of our right of association,” confides, bitterly, Henri Farreny, president of the Amicale. The world had found peace and democracy. To pay tribute to the liberators of the city, members of the Association will meet this Saturday at 4:15 p.m. in front of the departmental war memorial at the bottom of the Allées de Vilotte. Then, they will gather at the beginning of rue Paul Delpech, in front of the plaques dedicated to Jesus Rios and José Fernandes, then in front of the Resistance monument adjoining the Hall.
