Loyalists To Evacuate Teruel?

Northern Advocate, 27 January 1938, Page 7

Loyalists To Evacuate Teruel?

CIVIL WAR

(Received 10 a.m.) VALENCIA, January 25,

General Franco’s troops to-day launched an intensive attack on the Loyalists’ position outside Teruel, the infantry “going over the top” after an artillery and air-bombing preparation.

They succeeded in enlarging the Rebel areas in the Alfambra Valley, also beyond the Teruel-Cuenca Road, near Castralvo, driving out their opponents at the point of the bayonet. The spokesman for the Republican Government stated to-day

that the Loyalists prepared to

evacuate Teruel, which was of no military value.

The Government had obtained its objective, which was to prevent General Franco’s long-heralded offensive b; 7, embroiling him in a costly battle.

General Franco had swallowed the bait, v/hich had set him back six months. The air raid on Barcelona resulted in 150 people being killed and 300 wounded.

Ceuta Quays Again Bombed.

Two Loyalist warplanes again bombed the quays at Ceuta to-day.

The raid coincided with the embarkation of 500 Moors bound for Algeciras. The bombs inflicted 165 casualties, many proving fatal, and damaged the docks and troopship. According to a Barcelona message, the government claims advances northwest of Teruel apd also asserts that Loyalists captured three hills to the south-west.

Government planes raided Valladolid, dropping seven tons of bombs on a station, railway and workshops. Explosions indicated that a munition dump had been blown up. British Captain Killed In Bombing Raid (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 26. A Madrid announcement states that cix Insurgent planes raided Valencia, bombing first the port and then the city. They killed 125 and injured 208 people. The dead include Captain Arnold Crone, skipper of the British, ship Dover Abbey, which was loading oranges. Franco Ignores British Bill For Damage To Hunter (Received 10 a.m. ) LONDON, January 25. The “Daily Herald” says Britain’s bill for £134,500 sent to General Franco for the damage done to the warship Hunter by a floating mine in May, 1937, has been Ignored by the Salamanca Government. A reminder will be sent shortly. The sum includes £10,500 for compensation to the dependants of the eight men killed. Loyalists Plan Big Spring Offensive (Received 10 a.m.) PARIS, January 26. The newspaper “L’Oeuvre” assorts that the Spanish Government forces are preparing for a big spring offensive. It will bo launched within two months. Neutrals from Spain state that Germany and Italy are actively assisting General Franco. Four German destroyers are based an Algeciras and 80 Italian bombing aeroplanes and 15 German seaplanes are concentrated at Majorca.