WAR IN SPAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 132, 1 December 1936, Page 7

WAR IN SPAIN

ACTION OFF SHORE

BOMBS NEAR BRITISH

VESSEL

ALARMING EXPERIENCE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 30. Fighting in the Spanish civil war, the ruthless destruction of life and property practised by both sides, and the manner in which the British steamer Polzella became involved in a fierce action between a cruiser and two rebel aeroplanes, were described by the chief officer of the Polzella, Mr. F. W. Burn, today. The vessel is at present discharging raw sugar at Chelsea, and is under charter to load iron for the United States. ' The Polzella arrived at Huelva, on the Spanish Atlantic coast, early last July. Fierce fighting was in progress on the ship's arrival at the port, and she lay there for nearly "two weeks awaiting instructions. It was during her stay that the ship's complement had the unique if not alarming experience of watching fighting from not more than a mile distant. The Polzella also acted as depot ship for the housing of refugees who were being transported from Huelva to Gibraltar by two British destroyers. There were 25 refugees, including men, women, and children, of various nationalities on board the ship at one time. The officers surrendered their cabins and everything was done to make the unfortunate people as comfortable as possible. At one time the ship was threatened with an invasion from the fighting forces, and an armed naval guard was placed on board for additional protection. "~ PILOT DESERTS. "It was our departure that proved most interesting." said Mr. Burn with a wry smile. "Under charter to load in Russia, we, left Huelva with a Spanish pilot. The captain, pilot, and myself were on the bridge, and all went well as we went down the river to the ocean, until swinging round a bend we came in sight of a Spanish cruiser lying across the entrance. The pilot immediately became panicstricken, and in spite of entreaties and threats he hailed his cutter and deserted us. "Navigation of the river was particularly tricky," continued Mr. Burn. "There were numerous banks and shoals and the channel offered no room to turn. We manged to keep the ship in deep water, and we were manoeuvring close to the warship, which was practically blocking .the fairway, when two Spanish rebel aeroplanes arrived. "Climbing and then diving, the machines commenced to bomb the warship. An entire disregard was shown for the Polzella, and most of the bombs dropped nearer to the British vessel than to the warship. To add to the confusion, the cruiser commenced to shoot with every weapon which could be trained into the air. : "Everything which went up had to come down," continued Mr. Burn, "so in addition to the bombs which were exploding with terrific concussion the sea was peppered with spent shells and splinters. Amid this distraction the ship had to be navigated through the channel, no easy task without a pilot under the best conditions. A DESPERATE DIVE. "Firing tracer hullets and shells which threw out white, puffs of smoke, the cruiser effectively defended herself, and one of the aeroplanes was driven off. It returned a short time later, however, and in a final desperate dive dropped a particularly potent bomb. As it droDped it could be seen to be much larger than others. "Most of the bombs were some little distance away," said Mr. Burn, "but this big one nearly hit us. The old ship shuddered and heaved with the concussion. As it was nearly dark, the aeroplanes " flew back over the land, and along with the cruiser we put out to sea. "In port by night, the view from the decks of the vessel was magnificent, but the terrible crack of riflo fire and the insistent chatter of machine-guns concentrated all attention "to the Huelva shore. Each night. flames shooting high into the air would proclaim the destruction of yet another building. Churches, memorials. warehouses, and private houses all suffered the same fate. One night the spire of a large church was silhouetted against leaping flames. Next morning it was learned that priests and nuns had also perished in the fire. Apart from rifles and machine-guns, the only other weapons employed were aerial bombs. -, Rebel aeroplanes appeared over the town one afternoon, and from the Polzella it appeared that they met with little or no resistance. They cruised about and bombed at will. That night the fighting was intensified and was continuous until dawn. ihe rebels had > captured the town. Those of the civilian population who escaped immediately changed their red armbands of the Government for the white bands of the rebels. To change sides and fight for the enemy was their only escape from certain death No prisoners were taken in the fighting at Huelva." __^__^___