GRIP ON SPAIN
GERMANY AMD ITALY SUBMARINE BASES CHAIN OF AERODROMES . WORK DAY AND NIGIIT r LONDON. Ang. 8 . Reports of a weakening of Italian and German influence In Spain, and the probability of Spain's neutrality in the event of war, appear ( to be too optimistic in the light of the most recent reports. These describe German supervision of the new and feverish construction of aerodromes near the French frontier, and also the continued fortification near Gibraltar. There are also reports that the Italians are tightening their grip, on Majorca, the main island in the Balearic group. Underground Aerodromes German engineers are controlling-the construction of a chain of up-to-datte-. aerodromes in Spain, and the, reconditioning of old ones. Work on these aerodromes goes on day and night by thousands of members of the Engineer Corps*and by battalions of Republican prisoners, under armed guards. Some aerodromes arc being built underground, as has been .done in Germany. Spain's largest aerodrome ~is being built at Jaca, 35 miles from the French frontier. From this point, the* whole industrial region of south-eastern France could be threatened.. Construction is also being speeded up on submarine bases at Atlantic and Mediterranean ports, on huge underground oil and petrol reserves, on two new wide roads to the frontier, and also on several lines of concrete fortifications and trenches along the Basque borders. Italians in Majorca Continuation of the fortifications at Ceuta and Algeciras .is regarded as the explanation of new restriction on permits to members of the British garrison at Gibraltar who wish to visit Spain. Reliable "information reaching Paris indicates that Italian airmen are stay-' ing in Majorca indefinitely. The airbase has not been withdrawn, in spite of the show of an impending withdrawal when the Italian troops left the mainland of Spain. A special pass i? required to visit the island, and this is not issued ■ to foreigners, except Italians and Germans.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23426, 16 August 1939, Page 11
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317GRIP ON SPAIN New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23426, 16 August 1939, Page 11
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