ADVANCE TO GANDESA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22467, 30 July 1938, Page 15

ADVANCE TO GANDESA

* SPANISH LOYALISTS’ PROGRESS GENERAL FRANCO FORCED TO DIVERT TROOPS (Received July 29, 7.30 p.m.) BARCELONA, July 29. The Spanish Government advance to Gandesa continues. General Franco’s troops so far are only weakly resisting the operation, which was so well timed that General Franco’s offensive against Valencia died down while forces were diverted to meet the threat on his flank. Aircraft have also been withdrawn from the Teruel-Sagunto road. The weakness of General Franco’s resistance is partly explained by the claim that the civil population and many of his own troops helped the advance of the Government forces. The success of the movement strengthened the morale of the Government forces. General Franco’s headquarters do not deny the set-back, but claim that they are heavily punishing the attackers. The Hendaye correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the Spanish Government’s Ebro offensive is still making headway, but more slowly. The major operation is still the battle for the possession of Sagunto and Valencia, where the Republicans are stubbornly resisting, inflicting heavy casualties on the rebels.

GENERAL FRANCO’S CLAIM

GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE HELD UP SARAGOSSA, July 29. General Franco’s headquarters claim that the Government offensive is now exhausted, and that the attackers are in danger of isolation. More than 200 aeroplanes are continuously bombing the Government lines of communication. From Barcelona the Government denies that the advance has been stemmed. It is claimed that only one road is open for the rebels to leave Gandesa. General del Vayo states that he is most satisfied with the progress. The brilliance and precision of the offensive could not be equalled even in peace time manoeuvres.

BRITISH SHIP HIT BY BOMB

TWO MEN KILLED (Received July 29, 12.50 p.m.) MADRID, July 28. Two persons were killed and three injured in the bombing of the British steamer Kellwyn, formerly the Marie Llewellyn, at Valencia. The dead include a Danish non-interven-tion observer. The British steamer Stanleigh was damaged in the same raid, but there were no casualties.