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Martha Gellhorn
When the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Pauline Pfeiffer didn't work so well any more and when the affair with Jane Mason was over, Hemingway was looking for another woman. Martha Gellhorn had once come into "Sloppy's Joe" bar where Hemingway was a regular customer. They started a relationship, but in 1936 she moved to Germany. She soon left to Spain to warn the Spanish of Hitler. There she would meet again with Ernest Hemingway.
The Spanish Civil War
On July 17th, 1936 the Spanish Civil War began. General Franco and the army in Morocco revolted against the Republican government in Madrid. Franco was supported by Hitler Germany and Mussolini Italy, while the Soviet Union supported the Spanish government.
Ernst Hemingway was asked to report from this war by the North American Newspaper Alliance. In February 1937 he left New York to travel to Spain, as he did for many times during the following two years. He supported the Socialists and collected money for the film about this war "The Spanish Earth". It turned out a big success, and with the money he earned he bought some ambulance cars for Spain.
When the Republicans won the battle of Teruel, he marched into the captured city with the troops. He followed the troops till only Barcelona and Madrid were in their hands. Then the newspaper quit their assignment, because the complete victory of Franco was only a matter of time. He returned in November 1938 together with Marlene Dietrich.
For whom the bell tolls
Two years later he publishes the book about the Civil War. The first sentence is: No man is an island. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Robert Jordan, who teaches Spanish in the United States, voluntarily joins the Republican forces in Spain. He receives the order to destroy an important bridge with the help of the partisans. He spends three days and three nights there. Pablo the leader is a very passionate socialist. Realising that his party would loose the war, he strives to survive the war by all means. Then there is his wife Pilar. She believes in the Republic system and holds the group together. She especially cares for young Maria, who was raped by the fascists after her parents had been killed.
Jordan and this young girl fall in love, but they both know that it will not last for a long time.
Being surrounded by hostile forces on the land and in the air, they fullfill the order to destroy the bridge. But Jordan is wounded and cannot escape any more. Waiting for his death, he tries to help his friends by holding up the followers.
Before the war
When Hemingway's book "For whom the bell tolls" came out, Second World War had already started, but Ernest went on with his life as usual.
Martha, he and his three sons moved into the "Finca Vigia" near Havana. It was surrounded by a swimmingpool, the sea, a tennis court and a big garden. The couple employed seven servants. They still owned the "Pilar". Sometimes they drove to Havana to see baseball games or to attend the "Floridita", Hemingway's favourite bar.
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