cially in the most dangerous jobs. The properties of hundreds of Cantabrians end in fascist hands. The looting of animals, houses, money and property was massive and of course all went to the invaders hands and to local fascists, that they were willing to revenge the shame of being defeat the first day without big fights by the People. Many fascists get rich and healthy and they still are.
Many of the Cantabrian soldiers and former members of the militia were still free, armed and with the will to resist. And many other people that accept the defeat and went back home, were horrified by what they saw and what they experienced and joined them.
The Cantabrian Resistance started the same day that the invader took down the Red Flag of the last peak. In many valley the sensation of being occupied only happened when the fascist forces came looking for the freedom fighters. They had Cantabria militarily in their hands but they were far from having it under control. Only many weeks after official defeat of the Cantabrian Army the Fascist soldiers were withdrew from the direct repression and occupation of villages and cities. But they helped after that when big operations took place.
In Cantabrian regions like Tresmiera, Polaciones Campoo and Liebana the resistance was powerful since the beginning and it was no doubt of the popular support they have. Even with all the bloody repression that was going on. For the working class they were heroes and freedom fighters against the hatred fascist oppression.
Many Guerrilla Brigades were created with the past of the years. One of that Brigades was named “Luciano Malumbres” (as the Regiment of the Cantabrian Army) to honour the Cantabrist and Socialist Leader.
The activity of the Brigades were many. Often related to their power in the moment and capability to carry out operations, but the State forces were always scared of them. Sometimes they avoid confrontation because they State forces were much more in number and wasn’t sure the possibility of escape but the State forces avoid fight because they fear them. The Guerrilla primary targets were the fascist with war crimes, traitors of the war, and bad landlord that used the power of the army and Police to oppressed without mercy the People, and of course the State Force if they have a collision with them. In some occasions they target directly them as a revenge for killing of freedom fighters Sabotages were carried out as well. One main activity and targets of the Guerrilla were the healthy landlord and rich right-wing people. Many times they kidnapped them and asked for big quantities of money, or they went directly to their homes.
After the official decision (in france) of ending Guerrilla war in all the Spanish State in Cantabria many freedom fighters leave. Others didn’t. Many of them want to stay to the victory or to the end in their Country. As Juanin said, the most loved and famous one: “I prefer to die here as a brave man, that go away and have the chance of been call a coward”. That was a example of the spirit of many of this brave men. Most of the fighters that stay were killed in action in the early years of the 50 decade as Gildo (a very brave man and good soldier) or Ayala, a communist that found the Cantabria Brigade around the Besaya Valley. Many other were take prisoners. But Juanin and Bedoya, a legendary couple of fighters remains in the mountains and valleys of our Country till they were murdered in 1957.
Juanin was killed the 24 of April in an ambush. It said as the most probably fact that a woman that have relation with him was tortured by the Guardia Civil till she give the information of when he was going to pass by that place and make able the set up of it. Bedoya managed to escape
The lonely Bedoya was shoot down in December of 1957 in the East of Cantabria, in his way to France. A reward of 500.000 pts of the time was offer for Juanin ( 3.000 thousand euros today, at that time was a fortune, the biggest reward offer in all the Spanish State) and to kill Paco Bedoya the Police (Guardia Civil) set up probably the b