REBEL OFFENSIVE

Evening Star, Issue 22595, 12 March 1937, Page 9

REBEL OFFENSIVE

ITALIANS TAKE THE INITIATIVE MADRID RINGED BY MINES Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright TALAVERA, March 10. A rebel offensive involving 30,000 men led l by Italians, whose desire to maintain their prestige forbids risking defeat, was directed against Madrid on the Guadalajara sector and the Aragon highway. It was pushed forward with the highest possible speed' and an advance of 12 miles was achieved, but it cannot yet be said that the capture of Madrid is imminent, because in the last resort an electrically connected ring of mines round the city can be exploded.

BRITISH AIRMAN KILLED LONDON, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11 a.m.) Christopher St. John Sprigg, aged 28, a well-known British airman and journalist, who went to Spain in December, 1936, was killed when fighting with the International Brigade at Madrid. Ho was the author of a number of flying and detective books and poems. He was formerly editor of an aviation magazine.

REBELS CLOSING IN KEY TOWN REACHED. LONDON, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11 a.m.) Among tho important points reached by the insurgents is Brihuega, the key town to the Tajuna Valley, through which they will be able to cut the Cuenca road, which, with the Valencia highway, represents Madrid’s lifeline by the coast.

ITALIAN PRISONERS PHOTOGRAPHED MADRID, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11 a.m.) Foreign journalists were allowed to photograph captured Italians. When told there was no cause for alarm one of the prisoners said in Italian: “We are not Fascists.” Two others gave the Communist closed-fist salute. Government forces blew up the school of agriculture in University City by mines. Hand-to-hand fighting followed in the ruins.

•• RED LfOHS " WIPED OUT MADRID, March'll. ; (Received March 12, at 11.30 a.m.) The battalion known as the “ Red Lions ” was scattered and almost wiped out. Madrid reports that the four Italian officers and 37 men captured during the Guadalajara fighting are being interrogated at the War Office. ADVANCE GUARD RUSHES ON NINE MILES FROM GUADALAJARA LONDON, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11.30 a.m.) General Franco’s advance guard is now nine miles from Guadalajara. The offensive has advanced in three days over 25 miles on a nine to 12-mile front. The insurgents claim that in one sector yesterday they counted 400 dead Government troops. THE MAR CANTABRICO’S CARGO MADRID, March 11. (Received March 12, at noon.) A St. Jean Deluz message states:— The munitions found in the Mar Cantabrico included 1,500 machine guns, 025,000 belts of ammunition, 70 3in guns, 120,000 shells, and 200 flame throwers.