Rebel-held Cities Retaken By Bolivian Troops

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23043, 6 September 1949, Page 6

Rebel-held Cities Retaken By Bolivian Troops

(H.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) LA PAZ, Sept. 4. Bolivian Government and rebel troops clashed in a bloody street battle at Potosi today when the rebels sought to recapture the city.

Potosi is situated in south of Central Bolivia about 300 miles from La Paz. Reports yesterday say it had fallen to Government forces but it now appears the rebels withdrew to reorganise.

Government troops in armv barracks at Potosi sent a radio message stating they are still holding out and that one company of troops, aided by university students, were fighting the rebels in the streets. The Government announced tonight that both Potosi and Sucre had been recaptured from the revolutionaries. The fall of the two cities followed a statement by the General Staff that “certain victory” was in sight for Bolivia's threatened middle-of-the-road Government.

Sucre, which is the official capital of Bolivia was recaptured by loyal forces after a brief but bloody fight with its rebel defenders. The loyal forces had driven a wedge between Sucre and Potosi which lie 50 miles apart.