AN EPIC OF COURAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 26 November 1936, Page 10

AN EPIC OF COURAGE

LONG ALCARZAR SIEGE THE STRUGGLE IN TOLEDO ‘The Alcazar of Toledo, Ihe might J castle-fortress overlooking the banks of the Tagus and the city made famous in days past for its steel blades, underwent a siege that has few equals in history, sys the New York Times. For 71 days a garrison that originally numbered 1700 persons, more than 400 of them women and children, underwent a daily bombardment of heavy shelltiro: by the hour heard hand grenades drop and explode in the heavy-toned courts of the ancient Moorish structure, and lived constantly in the knowledge that food supplies and water were diminishing. To add to the horror was the fear, finally realised at last, that at any .second, day or night, heavy mines under the fortress might be exploded. The Alcazar, once the home ot Moorish and Castilian rulers, \\a> taken over by 1200 officers, cadets, and and troops soon after the revolt in Spa’.n began. Into the stone fortieswent also the 400-odd women and children. How many of the lattei went, willingly, through fear of guntire, or were forced to go is not known. Nor it is known how much food they took with them. A few who were able to escape the walls of the Alcazar under the constant gunfire reported early in the siege that there was little bread, that the principal food was horseflesh, and that t*ne supply of water was fast dwindling under the onslaught of the 1700 tired defenders. All Attacks Fail. An apparent fear that the re on! force might be dangerous to the safety of a c'.ty facing daily attack from the main column of the insurgents led the loyalists to an intensive campaign to conquer the huge fortress. Early in the siege, however, they learned that it was not easily to be taken. Attack alter attack failed. With withering machine-gun tire the rebels kept ott all attacking parties. Unable to near the fortress, the loyalist forces began a bombardment that daily became more intense. Shell after shell was hurled at the Alcazar while behind its walls the men, women and children who were not at gun positions crouched to escape the hurtling shrapnel and debris. In the lulls between bombardments an attempt to carry on some of the daily human tasks was made. After the rebels were finally driven underground by the blasts of mined TNT. loyalist troops found washing—still dirty because of the lack of soaphanging out to dry in a protected court. Hurriedly dropped sewing was also found. On September 10 Major Juan Rojo, staff officer of the Government forces, braved the danger of possible death inside the Alcazar to present an ultimatum demanding that the rebels surrender. 'l’ho interview of Major Rojo and the rebels was arranged by telephone, and the Government officer, unarmed, walked lo the carriage gale of the Alcazar. Once inside he was blindfolded and taken to General Jose Moscardo, in command of the insurgents. Personal Friends. Knowing that many of his personal friends and former schoolmates were among the rebels. Majoir Rojo called to them by name. He received no answer it was reported, and after a futile talk with General Moscardo, he returned to his own troops. For days the Government officers sent messages to the rebel command asking that the women and children be allowed to leave the fortress. The request was refused. Finally, an offei was made that the lives of all would tie spa led if they would leave the Alcazar. General Moscardo refused and then the rebels were notified that the fortress was being mined with heavy charges of TNT. Giving the Government's justification for the contemplated blowing up of the historic building, the Madrid newspaper Claridad said: "Our sentimental weakness put a premium on the enemy’s duplicity." Even without the warning, the men. women and children in the fortress must have been aware of their approaching danger. Reports said that for three days the picks of the miners digging under the stone structures could be heard in Toledo homes. On Scptcmh|fr 18. after several final warnings to tftc rebels- including constant brodcasting with loud speakers asking them to give up their position the two huge TNT mines were exploded. Whole ( ity Shaken. I’he.v shook all of the anc.cn! city of Toledo, smashed windows for miies and damaged many houses in the city. When the smoke cleared away the great south-west tower of the Alcazar was no longer standing, and every other part of t))e historic structure was damaged. Debris tilled the courtyards, many of the gun positions of the rebels had been destroyed, and those alive had been forced underground in the maze of passages that lie under the structure. How many were killed and how many still survived after the blasts was not known. The rebels, however still remained in control of the Alcazar. Government fighters who attempted to take them were met with a blaze of machine-gun fire as the remaining lighters desperately held tc their position. From then on the rebels lived apparently with almost nc food and only little water. Twice the Government troops mad< a futile attempt to smoke them out by setting fires, the smoke of which was blown into the undergrounc chambers. During later days constant gun fire, it was reported, reduced th( Alcazar to almost, complete ruin.