REBEL VANGUARD NEAR FRONTIERS

Southland Times, Issue 23735, 6 February 1939, Page 7

REBEL VANGUARD NEAR FRONTIERS

HEAVY DEATH-ROLL AT FIGUERAS

CATALONIAN CAMPAIGN IN FINAL PHASE

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received February 5, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 4.

A motorized Navarrese column, preceded by tanks and aided by a mixed legionary brigade, easily overcame the loyalists’ resistance at Gerona, which the rebels found in confusion, says a message from Burgos, the rebel headquarters. The rebel advance guard is 19 miles from the French frontier. Six (rebel air raids killed 500 persons at Figueras, present seat of the Spanish Government, and destroyed many

buildings. Refugees have swelled the population to four times normal and consequently the air-raid shelters are inadequate. Citizens are streaming out to the countryside in all directions. The final phase of Catalonian resistance seems to have been reached, and more and more deserters are reaching the French frontier, where reinforced French forces in full war equipment await the climax, which is expected tomorrow. i Fugitives assert . that the loyalist troops north of Berga are without leaders and are disorganized. A later message says that the Government is leaving Figueras for Valencia.