BAD WEATHER IS LOYALISTS’ BEST ALLY

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1936, Page 5

BAD WEATHER IS LOYALISTS’ BEST ALLY

CIVIL WAR

TORRENTIAL RAINS STOP OPERATIONS AGAINST MADRID

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright!

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, November 29. T)ESPATCHES from Spain state that torrential rains are transform- ' ing trenches into canals and swamps. This has prevented operations against Madrid, the inhabitants of which are blessing the bad weather as the Government's best ally, especially as it is-preventing air raids.

The chief obstacle in the way of the encirclement of outer Madrid by the rebels, apart from the loyalists’ counter-attacks in the Telavera district, is the dogged tenacity of Colonel Mangada, who is holding LI Esccrial. The forces of Colonel Mangada are threatening the left flank of any rebel advance west or north-west of the capital. His overthrow ftiust precede any effective demonstrations by the rebels, for which purpose they are concentrating all available forces.

Artillery Combat. These include a division equipped

with motor traction, whose arrival is anticipated. In the meanwhile, the activities in the Madrid arena have resolved themselves into an artillery combat. ,

The wintry conditions have necessitating supplying blankets and rubber boots to the troops. On the whole, the insurgents, though their position is not as desperate as it is depicted by their opponents, are in a worse situation than they were a fortnight ago.