FIGHT OVER MADRID

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1936, Page 7

FIGHT OVER MADRID

GOVT. PLANES’ SUCCESS THRILLS FOR CROWD (Recd. November 14, 11 a.m.) MADRID, November 13. A big air battle took place over the city, this morning, between a dozen insurgent planes and a dozen Government machines. The latter claim to have brought down six insurgents. Thousands of people in the streets and on roofs watched the battle as the combatants swiftly moved over' the heart of the city. The Government planes were sent up immediately the rebel bombers and fighters appeared. The bombers promtly withdrew, leaving the fighters to engage the enemy. One plane was sent down in flames, the two occupants parachuting. A pursuing plane riddled the parachutes with machine gun bullets, the airmen hurtling to death. The plane crashed to the courtyard of the military barracks.

An unconfirmed report says that the rebels have begun a big offensive. POISON GAS USED? LONDON, November 13. Rebel officers at Talavera assert that Government troops are using poison gas shells, adding: “We may be forced to use gas, too.” Apart from continuous shelling, there is still little activity at Madrid. The rebels are'apparently continuing preparations on a btg scale, while the Government troops continue to strengthen the defences.

NAVY’S GOOD WORK. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] RUGBY, November 12. British warships, up to a week ago, had made 220 voyages, representing 76,000 miles steamed, especially to evacuate refugees from Spain. Altogether 11,195 refugees have been evacuated. Lord Stanley (Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty) gave these facts in reply to a question in the House of Commons. He added that fuel and other expenses of this work exceeded £40,000. Expressions of appreciation had been received from the Belgian, Chilean, Finnish, German, Japanese, Netherlands, Norwegian, Peruvian,. Polish, Swedish, Swiss, United States and Venezuelan Governments, from the Cuban Minister in Paris, and from the Danzig Senate.