An act of value in time of conflict
On April 14, 1935, in an event commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Second Spanish Republic, a significant ceremony was held in which President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora granted the Creu Laureada de Sant Ferran to three Spanish soldiers. This distinction, the highest that could be granted, recognized acts of extraordinary courage on the battlefield.
Un Hero Sense Galons
Among the honorees, two were prominent generals, Eduardo López de Ochoa and Domingo Batet, but the third, Angel Sevillano Cousillas, was a simple captain of Zapadors. His heroism had taken place a decade earlier in a little -known setting: the rocks of Cudia Tahar, in Morocco. Unlike his companions, Sevillano had defended his position in an extreme African context, where his courage was tested until the last moment.
Origins of a leader
Born in San Fernando, Cádiz, on September 14, 1897, Angel Sevillano grew up in a family with deep military roots. His father, José Sevillano Muñoz, held a senior in the Navy infantry, and his mother, Emilia Cousillas, also belonged to a family of military tradition. This inheritance marked his childhood, impregnating it with values and stories about duty and dedication.
The way to glory
At the age of 17, after failing to enter the Navy Infantry, Sevillano decided to Alistar as a voluntary soldier. After a brief period, he moved his attention to the Earth Army, specifically to the Corps of Engineers. He completed his education at the Guadalajara Academy of Engineers, a center that demanded a rigorous technical training, and obtained his title of Lieutenant of Engineers in 1921.
The d’Anual disaster
The same year that Sevillano was named lieutenant, Spain suffered one of its worst defeats in Morocco, known as the Annual Disaster. While the Spanish army was immersed in chaos, Sevillano received an urgent call to join the Zapador Expeditionary Battalion. This decision again led him to the heart of the conflict.
Cudia Tahar: The Battle of Resistance
In September 1925, Sevillano was immersed in one of the most decisive battles of the conflict: the defense of Cudia Tahar. Faced with a massive 4,000 rifles attack with only 143 soldiers at his disposal, the situation became a real hell. Sevillano, wounded by a grenade, chose to stay in his place, leading his men in extremely adverse conditions.
A tragic final
After days of siege, the situation became unsustainable. Only 34 of the 200 defenders survived the attack. Sevillano was recognized with the individual Military Medal and the Creu Laureada de Sant Ferran for his courage. However, his life took a tragic turn during the Civil War, when he was arrested and executed in one of the darkest episodes in Spanish history.
Reflections on historical memory
The hero of Cudia Tahar represents not only the bravery of a soldier, but also the oblivion that often surrounds the stories of authentic value. His life invites us to reflect on the importance of remembering the lessons of the past and to avoid the repetition of the mistakes that led to the division and the tragedy. History may not be repeated, but their teachings are always valid.