Volume 5 1936~1939


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 32 NAI DFA Madrid Embassy IP 3/6

Letter from Joseph P. Walsheto Leopold H. Kerney (St Jean de Luz)
(141/14) (Secret)

Dublin, 6 March 1937

Reports are being received in Ireland that the soldiers of the 15th Tercio (Irish Brigade) of the Foreign Legion are to a large extent discontent with their lot. They complain of the bad food, poor clothing and of their treatment generally.

They are said to be poor in physique, and with exceptions, bad soldiers.

General O'Duffy is said to have visited his men only on two occasions.

Could you ascertain whether there is any truth in these reports. Please, in any case, send home any information you can obtain about the 15th Tercio as well as about the progress of the War in general.

[signed] J.P. WALSHE
Rúnaí