ATTACK ON MADRID IN GERMAN HANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1937, Page 7

ATTACK ON MADRID IN GERMAN HANDS.

HEAVY ONSLAUGHTS. Mass Formations of Great War Employed. TRUTH HIDDEN PROM PEOPLE United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) .'. ; , LOJTDON, January G. "The Times" Berlin correspondent considers that Germany is' staking? a Jot on General Franco's present offensive, though it is still maintained that Germany is not involved. ' Relatives of those killed in Spain are notified that the victims "died in accident." • Incredible as it seems the truth is only slowly leaking out that Germans are lighting in Spain„ Skilful Press propaganda has conveyed the impression that intervention is confined to Britain, Trance and Russia.. .

The* rebel drive against Madrid is believed to be almost entirely in the hands of Germans, who are employiri"tactics used in the Great War. Advance is by mass formations. .....

Aerial bombardments of Madrid this morning and afternoon were supported by artillery, and the shelling resulted in three hits of the Telephone. Department's skyscraper. Government aircraft drove off the raiders, and the girl operators returned from cellars and resumed plugging in almost before the termination of the attack.•

5 Bombardments in the last few days, coupled witli infantry conflicts, have cost the defenders,'according to General Franco's estimate, 1000 killed and wounded. • '•: •:■- '■ .■ ; •

This estimate is somewhat discounted hy Professor'Haldane's letter to. his wife from Madrid, emphasising the futility of the bombing of the capital and saying that it would take a year of this sort of thing'to make anyone dream of surrender. ' '.'. » ■ ; , ■ .-. •

A Barcelona message says five German aviators were. killed during the Bilbao air raid. Submarine C 2 brought down a rebel 'plane, • which is believed to be unprecedented. •■'■'• . '•' , -i