REBELS ADVANCE IN SPAIN

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 9

REBELS ADVANCE IN SPAIN

FURIOUS FIGHTING IN MAIN SECTORS THREE AIR RAIDS ON BARCELONA (united press association—copyright.) (Received January 2, 9.30 p.m.) ' LONDON, January 1. Furious fighting in the main sectors attends General Franco’s Catalonian offensive. Every available aeroplane is engaged. A thawhampers the, tanks.

Italian divisions, including the Littoria, which, at Signor Mussolini’s request, led the assault, were jeopardised by a Loyalist counterattack.

The rebels claim the capture of Albages, Poblade, Granadella, and Cubella. The total rebel gain is 348 square miles on a 100-mile front.

The Saragossa correspondent of “The Times” says that the rebels are advancing in the southern, sector in spite of the necessity for storming a succession of well-defended ridges between the river Segre and the Sierra Dellana foothills. They crossed the river Sant ahead of their time-table.

The position of the Loyalists in the Lower Ebro region is becoming increasingly precarious. A message from Barcelona states that after five months of immunity Barcelona was bombed from the air three times, 33 being killed and 92 wounded. The bombers cut a 50yard path three miles long across the centre of the city.

A prompt alarm by sirens enabled the crowds to escape from the streets, where they were going home after New Year celebrations. ;

A Loyalist pursuit aeroplane overtook a bomber and switched on its wing lights to indicate the position to anti-aircraft guns. It chased the bomber until it was able to machinegun the pilot and send the machine crashing in flames at sea. The explosion of a bomb blew members from the balcony of the British Club.

SPANISH VESSEL INTERNED

ATTACK BY REBEL WARSHIPS

CONFLICTING REPORTS OF ENGAGEMENT

(Received January 2 r 7.10 p.m.)

BARCELONA, Decern be'r- 3 1J

A Republican communique slates that the Gibraltar- authorities refused- ,the ; request, of the captain of the Jose Luis Diez for an, extension of the vessel’s stay to ensure its seaworthiness so he w.ent to sea to avoid internment. .

He alleges that he was attacked while in British territorial waters. A communique issued by tha rebels insists that only the minelayer Vulcano engaged the Jose Luis Diez. It does not mention tha loss of:one minelayer or the ramming of another. A message from London states that the Gibraltar correspondent of the British United Press says that a member of the crew of the' Jose Luis _ Diez said that the vessel, after repairs because of damage caused by an encounter on August 27, was awaiting a chance to slip through the insurgents’ cordon outside Gibraltar because of the expiration of the time limit Britain imposed for sanctuary. l

Rockets Sent Up

“As the Jose Luis Diez crept out without lights, I saw a house m Gibraltar sending up rockets suggesting signalling, whereupon the rebels attacked, and the Jose retaliated with six torpedoes, and then, headed for refuge in British waters,” he said. -“The rebels continued the. attack, the Jupiter approaching and ordering her to surrender.

“The Jose rammed the Jupiter with terrific force, dragging her aground on Europa Point, while: members of the crew of the Jose machine-gunned the Jupiter’s decks. Jose grouneferf ia the shallows off the village of Catalan Bay,” he added. .

Two English and one French destroyer stood by and directed searchlights on the Jose, assisting, her to land the casualties.. The; wounded were admitted to hospital in Gibraltar.

The member of the crew added: “I believe a torpedo hit the rebel sloop Calve Sotelo, which has not yet been located.”

The shellinj of the Jose damaged two houses in Catalan Bay, injuring several people, including the village policeman. It is understood the Jose was damaged amidships, chiefly in the engine-room. A message from Gibraltar states that a, wounded member of the crew of the Jose Luis Diez has died.' The forces against her were overwhelm-, ing, consisting of the Canarias, the minelayers Jupiter and Calve Sotelo, and six armed trawlers.

Hebei warships patrolled tha straits throughout the day well beyond the three-mile limit' becausa. of the presence of the Vanoc standing by the Diez, on which five were killed and 10 wounded. '

Large pieces of shell picked up at Catalan Bay bore inscriptions proving Italian manufacture. The Diez was eventually towed into harbour preparatory to internment.