A REBEL VICTORY

Evening Post, Issue 73, 23 September 1936, Page 11

A REBEL VICTORY

MAQUEDA CAPTURED

WAY OPENED FOR

ADVANCE

GREAT DEFENCE EFFORT

United l'rcss Association—Hy Klettiic Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 22. A Seville message states that the insurgents have captured Maqueda, 50 miles south-west of Madrid, which the Government regarded as impregnable. It was protected by three rows of barbed-wire entanglements and cement fortifications. Maqueda is at the junction of the main roads to Madrid and Toledo, to which the way is now open. The Government troops, completely demoralised', fled towards Madrid, with the insurgents' armoured cars pursuing them. The Government is preparing a great effort to save Madrid. Battalion after battalion of militia are leaving the capital for what is termed the Government's "Verdun line." GOVERNMENT CASUALTIES. In taking Maqueda the rebels killed and wounded 400 and took 200 prisoners. They captured tanks and armoured cars and quantities of arms and munitions. The victory has enabled General Yagues's right wing to advance along the Tagus Valley towards Toledo, and the main force is pushing on towards' Madrid. Loyalist recruits are being rushed from the capital to oppose them. The insurgents, except on the Aragon front, are everywhere advancing. Their troops, though numerically inferior to those of the loyalists, are being well organised and heavily armed. Rebel troops, which are advancing towards Torrijos, are confident that they will soon raise the siege of the alcazar at Toledo. The last tower of the alcazar crashed down under the concentrated fire of the besiegers' artillery. 'Nevertheless, the rebels maintain intermittent fire from the ruins, while Government reinforcements are taking up positions north of the shattered fortress.