TWO TOWNS FALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 4, 6 January 1939, Page 7

TWO TOWNS FALL

GENERAL FRANCO’S TROOPS ADVANCE ARTESA OCCUPIED KEY POINT OF ENEMY DEFENCES. (By Telegraph—Press AnocUlion—Copyright) Received Jan. 5, 5.5 p.m, BURGOS, Jan. 4. It Is officially claimed that the strategic town of Artesa on the right bank of the Segre River, has been occupied, also Castelldans, eight miles south-west of Borjasblancas. The fall of Artesa is one of the most important victories in General Franco’s offensive, as it was the key point of the republican left-wing defences. Simultaneously the nationalists are pressing towards Tarragona, 24 miles distant. It is officially stated that the nationalist vanguards are within 62 miles of Barcelona. The vanguard of a mixed legion has reached the first bouses at Borjasblanca. A Barcelona message states that Italian divisions, supported by sixty tanks, have slightly improved their lines on the Segre front. Italians suffered over 2000 casualties in the Castelldans zone on January 3. RAIDS ON TARRAGONA TWO CROWDED TRAINS HIT Received Jan. 5, 5.5 p.m. BARCELONA, Jan. 4. Ten aeroplanes supported by several chasers heavily bombed the lower part of Tarragona and hit two refugee-crowded trains, at least 40 persons being killed and 30 wounded. Both the trains were wrecked, 25 bombers later machine-gunning the survivors and rescuers alike. The 25 bombers later flew over the city for two hours, dropping bombs while workers were recovering the bodies of victims of the first raid. The complete casualties are not yet available. FREIGHTER BOMBED OTHERS HIT BY SPLINTERS Received Jan. 5, 5.5 p.m. BARCELONA, Jan. 4. The British freighter Stanwell received a direct hit from an air bomb. The freighters Transit and Neuchatel were both struck by splinters. There were no British casualties.