In December 1936 he drove an ambulance to Spain .
In December 1936 he joined the International Brigades there , training as a machine - gunner at Albacete before becoming a machine - gun instructor and group political delegate .
In December 1936 he drove an ambulance to Spain and joined the International Brigades there , training as a machine - gunner at Albacete before becoming a machine - gun instructor and group political delegate .