DESPERATE SIEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12198, 24 July 1925, Page 6

DESPERATE SIEGE

FRENCH PORT IN MOROCCO AIRPLANES SUCCOUR GARRISON TANKS FRIGHTEN NATIVES By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July .23. The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent in Paris . states that the. Riffs have suffered a severe setback. The French have relieved the post of Aimmaatou, 60 miles north of Fen, after a siege lasting five weeks, in which airplanes supplied the garrison of 500 with ice and medicine, and even with ammunition, which was dropped at the fort. Half of the garrison were killed or wounded before the relief was effected. Major Richard, the commander, was shot through both legs when the defence was repelling a night attack. He direoted the final stages of the defence from a stretcher, encouraging his men to fight to the end. French tanks created a panio among the Riff sharpshooters when they found that the armour of the tanks was impervious to their bullets. Thirty other tanks have been landed at Casablanca. BATTLE IN SPANISH ZONE RIFFS USING ARTILLERY DISQUIETING NEWS. Published in "The Tim ah ” LONDON July 22. The Tangier correspondent of ‘‘The Times”' says that fighting has Ibeen renewed in the Spanish Moroccan zone, between Tangier and Tetuan. Strong tribal forces attacked the Spanish lines, but were driven off. They used artillery for the first time on this part of the front. There were only a few Riffs among the attackers, the majority of whom were tribesmen from the surrounding districts. The Spaniards, in counter-attacks, burned several enemy villages. The fighting continues. MADRID, July 22. The newspapers publish disauieting dispatches from Fez, reporting tn&t the enemy is entrenched between Axbav tisza and Ainaioha, preventing the provisioning of Spanish posts, which are holding out in spite of pressure. A number of Turkish colonels formerly with the German Army are assisting Abd-el-Krim.