REPORTS IN CONFLICT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20504, 24 August 1936, Page 7

REPORTS IN CONFLICT

LOYALISTS’ CLAIMS DISPUTED United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received August 23, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Spanish Government’s claim to the recapture of Cordoba is premature, but the loyalist troops, who were dislodged from the town, after twelve hours desperate street fighting, retain the dominant positions outside. The rebels recaptured Guadalupe in Caceres, driving out the phantom column, which resumed the attack on the arrival of aerial and infantry reinforcements. Activities in he north-eastern area consist of skirmishes and bombardn.ents, which are not affecting the general position, but the new 10,000-ton cruiser Canaria, whose adherence to the rebel cause had been hitherto doubtful, declared herself by bombarding San Sebastian, and Fort Guadalupe. A message from Gijon states that the battle of Simancas barracks was one of the fiercest of the civil war. only 150 of the 500 rebel garrison escaping alive. All the survivors were captured. Hurling dynamite and firebrands, the attacking troops rushed the barracks, which they set on fire. Then the • M’s were shattered, many fleeing rebels being shot. All the officers were killed or committed suicide. The attackers then extinguished the flames and salvaged the arms and ammunition. A Catalan Government communique claims that the Government forces captured Cordova. They also had a victory at Tardienta. The Government armoured train defeated the insurgent' armoured cars, attempting to advance to Irun. The insurgents claim the capture of Alcantra.