Anarchists

Essential reading:

Memoirs of Cipriano Mera, one of the most interesting characters of the war. An anarchist bricklayer who was promoted through the ranks to become commander of the 14th division of the republican army (largely composed of anarchist militia columns that had accepted the need for militarisation). He was in large part responsible for the republican success at the battle of Guadalajara and ended up in charge of the IV army corps, which opposed the Communist government at the end of the war.

From the wargaming perspective, his largely anarchist troops progress from militia, to militarised militia to regulars, and their historical opponents Nationalists, Italians and also Communist units.


Anarchist Light Machine Gun

Empress's excellent model of female militia with an LMG

Anarchist Flag Bearer

A Copplestone bolshevik heroine painted as an anarchist.

Figures from Empress, Templar, Gringo 40s, Black Tree, Pulp and Irregular.

Milicianas (female militia)

Republicans generally used female militia early in the war but tended to relegate them to supporting roles as the war progressed.

Anarchists, who were ideologically committed to equality for women (at least compared with the very conservative outlook current in Spain at the time), had all female front line units throughout the war.

Mera (see book recommendation above), praised the courage and fighting qualities of his female comrades.

Bombers

Anarchists were in fact no more likely to throw bombs than were people of any other political persuasion. But you have to have them.

The chubby chap in the middle is from Templar. The guy throwing the bottle is a Warlord Partisan. The others are Empress.

Militia with fine hats

Templar Andalusian Militia. The straw hats are characteristic of farmers and rural militia.

Also, the film Viva Villa about the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa was popular in Spain just before the outbreak of war, and some of the revolutionary militias adopted the 'Mexican Revolutionary' look.

More Militia

Figures from Templar, Artizan, Warlord, Scheltrum, Footsore.

Some of them were intended for other conflicts but they all work for SCW.