Spanish Civil War bullet removed after 70 years
The 88 year old Spaniard Faustino Olivera is recovering from a rather odd operation. Doctors from the hospital in Barbastro, Aragon removed a bullet from Olivera’s left side. The bullet had been there since the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The bullet’s presence only came to light when the veteran decided to see a doctor about pains he felt in his left hand side of torso. Diario de Alto Aragón reported this on their website.
” I am doing very well, at least I don’t have a fever.” Faustino Olivera told the newspaper.
Olivera, born in the Barbastro region, fought on the Nationalist side during the Civil War. His side, led by dictator Francisco Franco, later won the war. On the 11th November 1938 Olivera was struck by a bullet in the trenches. He was treated for his injuries, but medics were not able to find and extract the bullet.
Last week’s operation was successful without any complications. Mister Olivera is expected to make a full recovery. Faustino’s nephew is already the proud owner of the bullet which he describes as an ‘emotional souvenir’.
