EARLIER ATTACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 13

EARLIER ATTACKS

INSUKGENT AIRCRAFT GREAT HAVOC WROUGHT RIVAL CLAIMS CONFLICT By Telegraph—rress Association—Copyright LONDON, Nov. 10 Partial confirmation of the claim of the Spanish rebels that they have obtained a foothold in Madrid is provided in the statement of a correspondent with General Varela's troops. The writer reports that from Sunday afternoon the insurgents' howitzers lifted their lire from the Manzanares valley to University City. There is also an admission that shrapnel lias been falling in the centre of the capital. General Dellano to-day broadcast a statement, tiiat General Franco had informed him by telephone that his troops were continuing their advance and had begun occupation in several streets of the capital. Correspondents state that the rebels' attack, although assisted by three fighting aeroplanes and machine-guns trained on the defenders, was unsuccessful until eight bombers, escorted by 24 fighters, each dropped a ton of bombs on the main University building. The atfackers, under cover of the resultant smoke-cloud, dashed in. The militia resisted desperately but fruitlessly. The insurgents report that more than 100 aeroplanes dropped 28 tons of bombs on Government positions in Madrid, which was simultaneously bombarded with ;520 guns. T1 in. targets ineluded the Ministries of War and Communications, and the northern and southern railway stations which, with neighbouring houses, are a mass of ruins. It is claimed that the rebels havc> reached West Park and the Presidential Palace. Other despatches from Madrid, however, still maintain that tho Government troops repulsed all attacks. The Council of Defence, in a communique, insists that the Manzanares River has not been crossod at a single point, .vhich is a direct denial of the insurgents' claims to successes at University Citv and elsewhere. The Government declares that it has information that Spanish pilots refused to participate in the week-end air massacre, which was carried out by German and Italian pilots. STRUGGLE FOR BRIDGE COMMAND OF ROADS IMPORTANCE TO INSURGENTS Times Cable LONDON, Nov. 10 The Madrid correspondent of the Times points out that the Government forces threaten the rebels outside j Madrid on either flank between the Aranjuez and El Eseorial highroads. If the rebels crossed the French Bridge they could command five roads from the north and north-west, and for this reason the loyalists demonstrated . against their left flank, forcing them through Casa del Campo to Aravaca, three miles from Madrid, and simultaneously improving the situation of Carabanchel.