ATTACKS IN SPAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 9

ATTACKS IN SPAIN

LOYALIST BLUNDERING

OWN MEN FIRED ON

United Press AssocliUlon-U.v Electric- Tclocraiih—Cojiyrlslit. . (Received August 10. noon.) LONDON, August 9. The British United Press news agency's Narbonne correspondent says that a tragic blunder marked the Government advance in the northern Guadarrama sector, when a column of 600 loyalist militia was shattered by its oira artillery while assembling to drive out the rebels from Sietamo, which subsequently fell into Government hands despite the initial mistake. The Loyalists had planned a combined aeroplane and artillery bombardment of Sietamo at 5.30 a.m., to be followed by an infantry advance from lines east of the town while a militia column from the south-west blocked the rebel retreat. The artillery, owing to faulty liaison, was not advised that the infantry operation was pending, and observers mistook the' advancing militia for rebel reinforce-j ments. The guns opened fire at ad! range of six miles, inflicting havoc,! plunging the column into rout, wreck-l ing the attack on Huesca, and leaving* the rebels' line of .retreat open. | TREACHERY SUSPECTED. 1 This is not the only example of lack: of co-operation. Government aeroplanes elsewhere bombed rebel strongholds hours before the loyalist in-' fantry was ready to advance, enabling") the rebels to recover and reconsolidatej the positions bombed. Militiamen complain that their commanders are leading them to destruction, and suspect them of treachery. The Government asserts that the rebel cruiser Almirante Cervera ig unable to leave Ferrol, members of thq crew having smashed important machinery. It also asserts that it-inters cepted a wireless message from thecommander of the rebels at Ovied«*> stating that they are unable to hoUl out for more than a few hours unlea; they are reinforced. DAMAGE AT ALGECIRAS. Government successes in the imporjtant area around Saragossa continue. "The Times" correspondent at Gibraltar estimated the casualties in the bombardment of Algeciras at 1130 killed and wounded, mostly civilians. The only military damage consisted of the destruction of focal batteries «on the gunboat Dato. While the infantry and artillery barracks and the military headquarters are intact, private property suffered severely, especially -.the commercial wharves. The Government naval patrol of -the waters between Ceuta and Algecffiras has been increased to include the destroyers Alcala, Galiano, and Chura*ica. The Queen Elizabeth, flying the .flag of the Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, entered Gibraltar harbour. IMPRESSION OF REBEL FORC3SS. Having seen some of the finest units of the rebel army marching between Sevilla and Granada, a "Etaily Mail" correspondent, who emphasises the ' modern character of General Franco's artillery, declares he is convinced that Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao cannot resist such forces. He says that General Mola's northern troops approach the same standard, with fine cavalry, workmanlike infantry and artillery, and eager volunteers. GOVERNMENT CLAIMS., The Government claims the ctapture of Cadiz, also the suppression of a revolutionary outbreak at Bfcdajoz. Loyalists, after securing the Balearic Island of Iviza, reoccupied the island of Formentera. At Burgos, women threw flowers and kisses and children gave the Fascist salute when lorry loads of fresq rebel troops left the insurgent headquarters to relieve their front-line comrades. The lorries bore monarchical rod and yellow flags and Fascist red and black flags. General Mola has forbidden his troops to use the Fascist saluUe, contending that as Spanish volunteers they must give the correct military salute. SEIZURE OF SHIPS ORDERED. Cabinet has' approved of a decree for seizing ships of a trans-A.tlantic shipping company operating bietween Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. A Lisbon message states that General de Llano claims that 20,00 d' rebels are ready to cross the straitsi from Morocco. The rebels are purchasing powerful aeroplanes and will soon have a well-organised air forae. It is reported that the Spanish coast on both sides of Gibraltar was in complete darkness during tb?j night. One report states that the Govnernment is carrying out an important; operation near Malaga, and anoflher says that rebels are being transported from Morocco. The Government claims a victory at the Nafavria Pass, north otf Madrid. Seven rebel aeroplanes boitnbed entrenched loyalists, and a rebel attack followed. After fierce fighting for 10 hours the rebels retired, leaving 200 dead and a number of machjine-guns. The Italian Embassy at WJadrid has protested to the Spanish Government at the deaths of three Italians who were shot in a street at Barcelona for no apparent reason. The Government is launching a fresh northward push in the Gjuadarrama sector. Rebel troops advancing from further north in order to support General Mola have been repuflsed. The air commander, Colonel Standino, reports a Loyalist advance on the entire Aragon front, inflicting seve re losses.