NIGHT BATTLE AT SEA OFF SPAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 7

NIGHT BATTLE AT SEA OFF SPAIN

Loyalist Destroyer Against Odds PRISONERS KILLED BY OWN SHELLS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received August 28, 7.40 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, August 27. Twenty members of the crew of the Spanish Government destroyer Jose Luiz Diez were killed and 14 were wounded in a night engagement in the Straits of Gibraltar with the rebel warship Canarias and three destroyers. The victims mostly were drowned in the forward compartments.

The Jose Luiz Diez, under cover of darkness and not showing lights, escaped to Gibraltar, where she berthed in shallow water as it is feared she may sink. The naval battle lasted 150 minutes.

Captain Castro, commanding the Jose Luiz Diez, says he sank two rebel trawlers after taking the crews prisoner. The prisoners were placed in irons in the forepeak, where a shell from the Can’arias later exploded and all the prisoners, numbering 24, were killed or drowned. In addition two members of the crew were killed and six were lost overboard.

Captain Castro says his opponents consisted of the Canarias, four destroyers and two torpedo-boats, including the Italian destroyers Aquila and Falco.

In Spain itself General Franco has admitted a reverse on the Estremadura front where he has been forced. to withdraw from his advanced positions. He claims to have brought down nine earoplanes. It is officially stated in Barcelona that 91 foreign aeroplanes have been brought down since August 1 by the Republicans, who have lost 20. Only two of 11 pilots captured were Spanish. Twenty-four bodies were recovered from the debris at Torremieja after a rebel air raid, says a 'message from Madrid. More than 70 persons were injured. , An official Italian statement says that contrary to reports neither the Italic i Ambassador in Spain nor his wife was hurt.

According to a message printed on Saturday it was disclosed that while the Italian Ambassador in rebel Spain was motoring in San Sebastian at night on August 22 the police called on the car to halt. The chauffeur disobeyed and the police, not realizing that It was a diplomatic car, fired, wounding the Ambassador's wife. The Ambassador was unhurt.