Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
First published in 1957, Mine Were of Trouble is British soldier Peter Kemp's detailed account of his service during the Spanish Civil War. With a classical journalist's eye for detail, Kemp offers a candid and remarkably impartial look at this often misunderstood conflict from the ground level, providing both a comprehensive overview of the war and its causes as well as thrilling descriptions of combat from the front lines. Unlike most English volunteers during the Spanish Civil War, Kemp fought for the rebel Nationalists rather than the loyalist Republicans, serving in both the traditionalist Requet s militia as well as the ruthless and elite Spanish Foreign Legion. He was eventually honored with a rare personal audience with Generalissimo Francisco Franco. This is one of only a very few first-hand English accounts of the Spanish Civil War from the Nationalist perspective. Rewarding for both pleasure readers and scholars alike, Mine Were of Trouble is essential for anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of this tumultuous period in European history.
Synopsis
Spain, 1936. Escalating violence between left- and right-wing political factions boils over. Military officers stage a coup against a democratically elected, Soviet-backed, government. The country is thrown into chaos as centuries-old tensions return to the forefront. Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards choose sides and engage in the most devastating combat since the First World War. For loyalists to the Republic, the fight is seen as one for equality and their idea of progress. For the rebels, the struggle is a preemptive strike by tradition against an attempted communist takeover.
Thousands of foreigners, too, join the struggle. Most fight with the Soviet-sponsored International Brigades or other militias aligned with the loyalist "Republicans". Only a few side with the rebel "Nationalists". One of these rare volunteers for the Nationalists was Peter Kemp, a young British law student. Kemp, despite having little training or command of the Spanish language, was moved by the Nationalist struggle against international Communism. Using forged documents, he sneaked into Spain and joined a traditionalist militia, the Requet s, with which he saw intense fighting. Later, he volunteered to join the legendary and ruthless Spanish Foreign Legion, where he distinguished himself with heroism. Because of this bravery, he was one of the few foreign volunteers granted an private audience with Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
Kemp published his story in 1957, one of the only English accounts of the war from the Nationalist perspective, after a prestigious military career with the British Special Operations Executive during the Second World War. The book has been out-of-print for decades. Mystery Grove Publishing Company is proud to make this uncommon view on one of the 20th century's most significant conflicts available again.