Paul White





 

 


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Paul White worked on the East Coast waterfront. A member of the American Communist Party, he joined the International Brigades on the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

On arriving in Spain White worked under Robert Merriman organizing trucks and supplies to transport the Abraham Lincoln Battalion to the Aragón front.

In March 1938 White was sent to get further supplies of ammunition. Instead, he deserted and drove to the French border. However, on hearing that his wife had given birth to a son, he began to feel remorse for what he had done. White wanted his son to be proud of his father and he returned to the front where he made a full confession of his actions.

White was unlucky that John Gates had just been appointed battalion commissar. Gates was a strict disciplinarian and decided to make an example of White and had him court-martialed. Found guilty, the next day he was executed by a six-man firing squad.

The news of the execution caused a great deal of dissent in the Lincoln-Washington Battalion and it was quickly announced that no further executions would take place.

 


 

(1) Paul White, confession after returning to the frontline in August 1938.

After Belchite I knew I was afraid to go into action again. I tried all this time to overcome my feeling of fear. I felt we were
doomed and fighting futilely. I dropped out of line and made up my mind to desert and try and reach France. As I ran towards the Ebro and met more deserters and routed troops, my fear grew. If I succeeded in getting to France, I still would have to face everyone at home but I had lost all control.

I kept going and debating whether or not to turn back. I spoke to the mayor at the border town in which I was arrested and asked where the command post was located. He told me and I decided to eat and make a final decision. I was arrested before I had done this. Once I was in custody I decided that I had been saved from wrecking my life completely.

I realize that "safety" of the kind I was seeking would never compensate me for the loss of everything and everyone I
value. I ask for one chance and that is to serve in the lines and wipe out this stain on my military and Party record.

I am 29 years old and am certain that I can serve in the ranks for many years as a class conscious worker. I have had plenty of time to think before making this statement and sincerely believe I will be stronger in my work and devotion if given the opportunity to redeem myself. I regard my position now as the most serious crisis in my life and am ready to meet it.



 

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