LINE BROKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23233, 30 December 1938, Page 9

LINE BROKEN

FIGHTING IN SPAIN FRANCO'S VICTORY FBONT IN CATALONIA BIG ADVANCE CLAIMED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received December 30, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 20 General Franco's Aragon Army Corps has broken through the formidable Republican fortifications fronting the strategic town of Balagucr, 1G miles north-eastward of Lerida, taking a further 800 prisoners and much war material, % says a message from Burgos. The Nationalists also claim to have brought down 20 Republican aeroplanes during the day. An earlier statement from Nationalist headquarters claimed that the victorious advance of the Nationalists continued on every sector of the Catalan front. However, unofficial sources admitted that the initial impetus had boon somewhat reduced in the past two days. This is partly due to the necessity for consolidating the newly-occupied territory, and partly owing to 'counterattacks by the Republicans. The Burgos announcement states that the Nationalists in five days have occupied 400 miles of territory. " A message from Barcelona says a Republican communique admits small territorial gains by the Nationalists on the south flank of the Catalan front, but says the attempt to reach the Lerida-Tarragona main road and railway has been withstood. It claims that heavy losses Mere inflicted on the Nationalists in the Tremp area. The Barcelona correspondent of the British United Press says money from New Zealand and elsewhere is arriving for New Year gifts to Spanish children. The Pope has donated £IOOO to the Basque children's relief fund.