Hans
Amlie
was
born in the United States. He worked as a mining engineer and was
a member of the Socialist
Party of America.
On the outbreak of the
Spanish
Civil War Amlie
helped form the Eugene V. Debs Column. Only 25 members of the party
joined and disgusted at the response Amlie joined the American
Communist Party.
On his arrival in Spain
Amlie joined the other International
Brigades at Albacete. He later became a member of the Abraham
Lincoln Battalion.
Amlie took part in the
battle of Jarama River in February, 1937
and was injured at Mosquito Ridge in July, when his commanding officer,
Oliver
Law
was killed.
In August
1937 the American forces were reorganized. Steve
Nelson was
promoted to brigade commissar and Robert
Merriman
became brigade
chief of staff. Amlie, who had now recovered from his wounds suffered
at Mosquito
Ridge,
became commander of the Lincoln-Washington
Battalion.
The next
major action involving the Lincoln-Washington
Battalion took
place during the Aragón
offensive
at the end of August 1937. The campaign began with an attack on the
town of Quinto. This involved dangerous street fighting against snipers
that were within the walls of the local church. After two days the
Americans were able to clear the town of Nationalist forces. This
included the capture of nearly a thousand prisoners.
The Lincoln-Washington
Battalion then
headed towards the fortified town of Belchite.
Once again the Americans had to endure sniper fire. Robert
Merriman
ordered
the men to take the church. In the first assault involving 22 men,
only two survived. When Merriman ordered a second attack, Amlie at
first refused saying the task of taking the church was impossible.
He help Amlie, Steve
Nelson led
a diversionary attack. This enabled the Lincoln-Washington
Battalion to
enter the town. The Americans suffered heavy casualties, Amlie, Nelson
and Merryman all received head wounds.
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