Emilo
Klémer
was
born in Bucovina, Romania,
in 1895. He fought for the Austro-Hungarian
Army in the First
World War. He reached the rank of captain but in 1917 he joined
the Bolsheviks
and fought in the Russian
Civil War.
The idea of an international
force of volunteers to fight for the Popular
Front government was initiated by Maurice
Thorez, the French
Communist Party leader. Joseph Stalin
agreed and in September 1936 the Comintern
began organising the formation of International
Brigades.
Klémer was one
of the first to join the International Brigades and arrived in Spain
at the end of 1936. As he had considerable experience of war he was
made commander of the 11th Brigade. During the battle for Madrid
Klémer's brigade held the Casa del Camp against repeated assaults
by the Nationalist
Army.
As commander of the 45th
Division he fought at Brunete (July, 1937)
and Santander (August 1937). He returned to the Soviet Union in late
1937. Joseph
Stalin was convinced that Klémer
was
plotting against him and in 1938
was arrested and shot without trial.
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