The International Newsletter of Communist Studies Online IX

The International Newsletter of Communist Studies Online 16/2003 54
However, from the Trotskyist side, it was said that Besouchet »(...) still believes in the possibilty of a
regeneration of the Communist International«. 45
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, with the beginning of the formation of the International Brigades, that
were organized from October 1936, saw him make the decision to use his knowledge and military experience
in favour of the Spanish revolutionaries, participating in what was called the »last of the great crusades«. Before
leaving for Spain, however, Besouchet decided to redact an open letter to his comrades in the Brazilian
Communist Party, which, finally, resulted in fatal consequences for him. In this letter, Besouchet, saying
farewell to his companions arrested by the dictator Vargas, exhorted them to continue the fight for a just and
human regime, while he, at the same time would give his contribution in Spanish lands. Besouchet tried to
make the PCB diffuse this document, but, knowing of his relationship with the Trotskyists, the communists
refused to do it. In the only existing testimony about this episode, the attitude of the PCB is described as
returning Besouchet’s text characterizing him as »rabble« and as a »trickster«. 46
Although formally, the PCB had sent him, at his own request, to Spain, Besouchet left Brazil with a
recommendation letter signed by Mario Pedrosa, one of the main leaders of the Trotskyist movement of Brazil,
and directed to Andres Nin, in Barcelona. He left Buenos Aires, going through Uruguay, embarking with a
Cuban passport (on the name of Ernesto Torres) together with a group of German volunteers, to Antwerp,
where he arrived in December of 1936. He proceeded to Paris, where he remained for two days, and then to
Perpignan. He went to Spain by ship in February of 1937.
At the same time that Besouchet arrived in Spain, a confidential report was received by the Communist Party of
Spain (PCE), dated January 24, 1937, sent from Valencia by the functionary of the International Red Help,
»Maria«. This was the nickname of Tina Modotti, who also occupied a position attached to the chairman for
counterespionage in the headquarters of the International Brigades in Albacete. Shortly before going back to
Spain, Tina Modotti received in Paris a message, in which the Brazilian Communist Party mentioned the open
letter episode: »Lieutnant Alberto Besouchet is now in Spain. After his departure from Brazil it was discovered
that Besouchet had turned Trotskyite. He left a proof that is a true provocation against the revolution of
national liberation and it is also of great importance to notify all comrades so that the do not allow him to use
the name of the Communist Party of Brazil.« 47
Besouchet arrived in Spain already stygmatized as s Trotskyite. After his arrival he re-established his true
identity and integrated into the International Brigades, after having looked for the POUM-leader Andrés Nin,
also branded as a Trotskyite, though without foundation. Besouchet went on to carry out his aims: He fought
on the fronts of Aragón, Andujar, Carabanchel, Córdoba and Sevilla. During the battle of Guadalajara he was
wounded in the leg by a grenade splinter. When he disappeared he had already been promoted colonel and
integrated to the staff of General Miaja.
45 A Luta de classe, Rio de Janeiro, 33, november 1936.
46 A Luta de Classe, Rio de Janeiro, no. 33, november 1936.
47 Arquivo Edgar Leuenroth, UNICAMP, microfilm received by RCCHIDNI, Moscow.