LAST DESPERATE STAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 11

LAST DESPERATE STAND

TERRIFIC RESISTANCE

THE FINAL CHARGE

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright.

LONDON, April 4.

Moors stormed the trenches on the Saragossa side of Lerida, but until 4 p.m. the loyalists maintained a terrific resistance, rallying at 6.30 p.m. for a last counter-attack, which the rebels met by charging with fixed bayonets behind tanks. The loyalists were overcome and abandoned the struggle. They fled, across the river Segre and the rebels entered Lerida.

A message from Saragossa reports that the rebels are rooting out,in a house-to-house search the few .remaining loyalist snipers who prefer death to retreat .from Lerida. The main rebel body- in the, campaign is on the outskirts, while tanks!, which- have been active all night, patrol the city protecting the shock troops and the civil guards who are doing police duty.

The loyalists' last stand was desperate. Eighty-five bodies were found strewn in a single trench.

RETURNING TROOPS HARASSED.

A message from Perpignari states that rebel aircraft, after flying over France, severely bombed- Portbou in order to prevent the return to the garrison at Barcelona of 4500 disarmed loyalists from Luchon. Only 168 men with families in General Franco's territory chose to return to rebel Spain.

A Lisbon message reports that it is estimated that 7612 Spanish refugees, including 5565 militiamen, have been repatriated from France since April 2. Additional soldiers are being repatriated as; they arrive, but civilians are sent to districts in... central France, which is now glorious with the spring.

MADRID BOMBARDED,

In retaliation for,, the Guadalajara operations, which the loyalists are still pressing, it is reported from Madrid that new, rebel batteries installed' by Germans "bombarded 7-' the 'capital for 75 minutes, killing. 75 an,d wounding 200. Republican communications between* Valencia and Barcelona are now confined to a bottle-neck, the closing of which will cut off their last lifeline between Barcelona and Madrid.

The rebels have captured Mora de Ebro, and also Cherta and Pinell.