Buenaventura Durruti

Durruti was killed by a gunshot during the defense of Madrid. The circumstances remain disputed: some sources claim he was killed by a Nationalist sniper, others by an accidental discharge of his own weapon. His death was a major blow to the anarchist militia.

Durruti organized the Durruti Column, a large anarchist militia force of about 6,000 volunteers. The column marched from Barcelona to the Aragon front, liberating towns and implementing collectivization in the areas it controlled.

Durruti led anarchist workers in fighting the Nationalist military uprising in Barcelona. The anarchists defeated the rebels after intense street fighting, securing Barcelona for the Republic and demonstrating the power of armed workers.