RAIN OF BOMBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23221, 19 June 1937, Page 13

RAIN OF BOMBS

ROUND ITALIAN STEAMER SPANISH LOYALIST PLANES VESSEL’S FOREPEAK FLOODED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) LONDON, June 17. A Lloyd’s cable from Gibraltar reports that the Italian steamer Madda, while en route to the Clyde from Port Sudan with a cargo of cotton seed, arrived with her forepeak flooded and No. 1 hold leaking, due to the concussion caused by bombing by Spanish Government aircraft. A member of the crew told the British United Press that while the vessel was navigating in the neighbourhood of Oran two Spanish planes appeared and rained down 30 bombs, which fell *ound the ship. One exploded in the forepeak. There were no casualties, as most of the crew were below when the last bomb fell. The planes swooped down and riddled the wooden structures of the decks with machine-gun bullets. The Madda then departed, with men manning the pumps, and headed for Gibraltar as fast as possible. . The captain reported the incident to the port authorities, who had a long interview with the Italian Consul. Experts came aboard to ascertain the damage. REBEL LEADER INTERVIEWED LONDON, June 18. (Received June 18, at 10 p.m.) The Times correspondent interviewed General Franco, who was questioned on the possibility of ending the war by negotiation, assisted by foreign mediation. He declared that he ardently desired the conclusion of the' war and sparing loss of . life and destruction, if secured by a Nationalist victory. He added that Britain should appreciate that the immense majority of Spaniards living in the Red zone are suffering from demagogic tyranny and hope for liberation by a Nationalist triumph, “ Moreover, the Red Government is responsible for thousands of crimes for which it merits punishment. Consequently, the only conclusion we can admit is our victory.”

REBEL AIRCRAFT ACTIVE VALENCIA, June 17. A Government communication states that rebel aircraft again bombed the Santander road, preventing the evacuation of Bilboa. BOMBING OF THE DEUTSCHLAND WILHELMSHAVEN, June 17. At the funeral of the Deutschland victims Admiral Raeder revealed that the Deutschland’s commander ordered the guns to fire on the Government planes a moment before the vessel was actually bombed. The falling bombs prevented the sighting of the guns. The planes flew oqt of range, resulting in confusion. Admiral Raeder added that the anti-aircraft guns were manned the whole time. Herr Hitler laid a wreath on the graves of the victims. The German broadcasting stations were silent for five minutes in honour of the dead. LOYALIST’ BATTLESHIP AN INTERNAL EXPLOSION VALENCIA, June 17. A communique states that an internal explosion, the reason for which is unknown, occurred on the loyalist battleship Jaime Primero at Cartagena. In addition to over 100 injured and burnt and sent to hospital, and 18 bodies have been recovered. It is feared that the fact of others having been killed will be discovered when the flames are extinguished. REBELS ENCIRCLING BILBAO LONDON, June 18. . (Received June 18, at 11.15 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Derio correspondent says: "The Nationalists continue to progress north and south oJ; Bilbao but the defenders’ courageous resistance in the centre frustrates a direct attack on the city. An Italian and Spanish brigade occupied Las Arenas Harbour, the entrance to Bilbao, but apart from the burning of a few large buildings Las Arenas suffered little. Carlists advancing from Galdacano have reached the road junction at Dos Carnints, where they are only two and a-half miles from Bilbao. The well-known ammunition works at Galdacano have been wrecked. The Basques are still holding the last hills guarding access to Bilbao on the Mungia-Derio road, which Nationalist artillery and aircraft bombarded all day. Nationalist warships captured six vessels containing Bilbao refugees. The vessels were taken to San Sebastian.” THE GOVERNMENT LEAVES BAYONNE. June 18. (Received June 18, at 11.30 p.m.) The Basque Government Press Bureau at Bayonne announced early this morning that the Basque Government had left Bilbao for a village behind the military lines. A delegation representing the Government remains in the city.