Jarama is a river in Spain. It was the scene of fierce fighting in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Forces of the fascist Nationalist forces crossed the river in an attempt to cut the main Madrid-to-Valencia road and isolate the Republican capital. Fascist forces led by Spanish Legionnaires and Moroccan soldiers of the Army of Africa were confronted by forces from the Republic including the 15th International Brigade. The 15th Brigade contained both the British Battalion of Volunteers and American volunteers in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Despite heavy casulaties (over 270 British out of 600) the fascists were stopped short of their objective. A period of trench warfare followed before the "Internationals" were withdrawn.
