CITY OF AGONY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 46, 18 November 1936, Page 11

CITY OF AGONY

Madrid Reels Under Hail of Bombs NEW REBEL ASSAULT IN FULL FORCE Defenders’ Dead Block Narrow Streets By Telegraph.—Presp Assn.—Copyright .Loudon, November 16. The rebel leader. General Franco, apparently launched his full offensive on Madrid. preceded by a crashing roar of destruction from aeroplanes. The latest news from the “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent with the rebels discloses that after shattering the defences on the River Manzanares with 15 bombing aeroplanes protected by 18 scout aeroplanes, the insurgents captured and- crossed the Segovia, Toledo, aud Princesa bridges and begun to fight their way through the streets against very fierce resistance, but made only 200 yards’ headway. The loyalists fought from bouse to bouse, and both sides suffered terribly. Correspondents State that the rebel attack, although assisted by three fighting aeroplanes, which fired on the defenders, was unsuccessful until eight bombers, escorted by 24 fighters, each dropped a tou of bombs on the main university building. The attackers, under cover of the resultant smoke cloud, dashed in.- The militia resisted desperately, but fruitlessly,

The insurgents report that over 100 aeroplanes dropped 28 tons of bombs on the Government positions in Madrid, which was simultaneously bombarded with 320 guns. The targets included the Ministries of \lar and Communications, and the northern and southerh railway stations, which, with neighbouring houses, are a mass of ruins.

The loyalist dead were so thick in the narrow streets that the rebel tanks were unable to get through and support the infantry, Who eventually were brought to a standstill. Meanwhile. Colonel Castejon and Colonel Bartolomeu, on the north-west front, consolidated the occupation of the Moneloa district with small loss. Colonel Delgado holds West Park, overlooking the riverbank adjoining the National Palace and the Acmudeiia Cathedral, but the loyalists counterattacked toward Campamento in his rear in order to cut him off, also exterminating Moorish supports crossing from Casa del Campo and preventing the advance of rebel reinforcements from Escorial Militia Outmatched. The Madrid correspondent of the ‘•Dailv Mail” declares that the Moors and Legionaries outmatch the militia in savage hand-to-hand /fighting, compelling the loyalists to fall back to the second lines of defence. The directional committee under General Miaja, defender of Madrid, is remaining in continuous session. Meanwhile the French Bridge is still the scene of conflict. The Government has massed tanks, armoured cars, and anti-aircraft guns behind its front, and has installed searchlights to assist in dealing with night attacks. Moneloa was earlier declared a war area and evacuated by citizens, and therefore there are no civilian casual- • ties. The Madrid correspondent of "The Times” points Out that the Government is threatening the rebels outside Madrid on either flank between the highroads to Aranjuez and Escorial. The rebels in the event of crossing the French bridge, could command Bve roads from the north to the north-west and therefore the Loyalists demonstrated against their left flank, forcing them through Casa del Campo to Aravaca, three miles from Madrid, simultaneously improving the situation <>f Carabanchel. A communique issued by the Council of Defence insists that the Manzanares River has not been crossed at a single point, which is a direct denial of the insurgent claims of successes in the vicinity of the university and elsewhere. The Government declares that it has information that Spanish pilots refused to participate in the week-end air massacre, which was carried out by German and Italian pilots. AERIAL TORPEDOES Hospitals and Churches Set on Fire (Received November 17, 7.50 p.m.) Madrid, November 17. Insurgent aircraft dropped aerial torpedoes and incendiary bombs on several quarters of the city last night, killing and injuring a large number of persons and setting Are to two hospitals. Two churches, including the Church of the Trinity, where Cervantes is buried, were also set on fire, and several bouses were eut in two. A big timber yard owned by a Belgian company and a building near the French Embassy are also blazing fiercel.v.