FULL OFFENSIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 12

FULL OFFENSIVE

MADRID CRISIS

FIERCE STREET BATTLE

HOUSE-TO-HOUSE

DEFENCE

TERRIBLE CASUALTIES

United Tress Association—By Electric Tele eraph—Copyright. (Received November 17, 2 p.m."l

LONDON, 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 wilh 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, and Princesa bridges and began to fight their way through the streets against very fierce resistance, but made only 200 yards' headway. The loyalists fought from house to, house, and both sides suffered terribly.

Colonel Barren attempted to advance along the Calle de Segovia, leading to the Calle Mayor and Puerta del Sol, while Colonel Ascensio tried to force a passage northwards, with the same objective, along the Calle de Toledo. Colonel Telle supported their movements, but was.unable to effect a I junction, STREETS BLOCKED WITH DEAD. 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 Moncloa district with small loss. Colonel Delgado holds the West Park, overlooking the riverbank adjoining the National Palace and the Acmudena Cathedral, but the loyalists counterattacked towards 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. The Madrid correspondent of the "Daily 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. General Miaja's directional committee is remaining in continuous session. BATTLE FOR FRENCH BRIDGE. 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.

Moncloa was earlier declared a war area and evacuated by citizens, and therefore there are np civilian casualties.

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 ■ five 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 of Carabanchel.