A BRITON JOINS IN

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3831, 9 November 1936, Page 6

A BRITON JOINS IN

THE FIGHTING IN SPAIN. Mr. W. Dobbie, M.P. for Rotherham, speaking in London recently, said that, having gone to Spain to investigate conditions, he himself had taken part in the fighting, reports the Daily Telegraph. He said: “After 24 hours I joined with a machine-gun crew, and took a share with them in the work of the day at Toledo. Looking on from a spot where our mach-ine-gun was planted, I can verify that had the Government troops been supplied with heavy artillery and high explosives the Alcazar could not have withstood the siege for two hours.” Mr. Dobbie explained to a Press representative why he helped to man the machine-gun post. He said that the British Government, in placing an embargo on munitions, 'had put the rebels on a state of equality with the freely, democratically elected Government. That was wrong. The embargo ought to be lifted, and the Spanish Government given an opportunity of getting the material necessary to defend themselves. For close on 20 hours he was along with a machine-gun crew, and stayed with them in a post that had a complete view of the Alcazar. He was within machine-gun range and within the range of the guns from the Alcazar, and saw the result of the light artillery in the Government’s possession—two 18-pounders. The shells they were firing at the Alcazar were of very little use. If they had had some heavy artillery, such as 60pounder guns, the Alcazar would not have withstood the attack for many hours.

On his visit to Spam he was accompanied by Mr. Seymour Cocks, M.P., Mrs. Isabella Brown, and Lord Hastings. They were anxious to get first-hand knowledge, so that they would not discuss the matter from hearsay. Mr. Dobbie said that he brought back with him several samples of ammunition used by the rebels, clearly showing that they were being supplied by Fascist countries, particularly Germany and Italy. He saw an air raid when at Toledo, and he brought home a bomb dropped by one of the aeroplanes. On examination by experts it was said to be one of the fiercest incendiary bombs that had ever been known. It was of German origin and make. In Madrid he met the Prime Minister, Senor Caballero, Senor Prieto, various other Ministers, and trade union leaders. From every one—military, industrial and political leaders—there was unanimous regret at the attitude of our Government and of the French and Russian Governments on the question of the embargo of arms for Spain. Mr. Dobbie brought with him an appeal for clothing and medical supplies by the Spanish women of the U.G.T. (the equivalent to the T.U.C.), addressed “To the Liberal and Anti-Fascist women of England and British public opinion in general.”