Why defenseless? The entire organization can defense itself from outsiders. No need of hierarchy for that.

Spain was not part of WW2. Facists won before that, though.

Actually, there seems to be a bit of a mix-up. Let me clarify.

In an anarchist group, enforcing anything goes against its fundamental principles.

If personal gain is the motive, one isn’t truly aligned with the group’s social contract and isn’t considered part of it.

Decisions are made collectively, without hierarchy. Voting or delegating organisational tasks to sub-groups is the norm.

I won’t go into words like “attacking,” “defense,” or “threats” as they are military terms, far from the anarchist ethos.

And I won’t call you “bro” or make you read theory. I feel you won’t.

Anarchy is not by nature disorganized. Lack of hierarchy doesn’t mean lack of organization. Probably a well-functioning anarchist organization is better organized than most hierarchical ones.

If friends are not there to defend the group of three, mutual aid is missing. That’s why it failed.