APPALLING EXPLOSION

Wairarapa Daily Times, 3 May 1937, Page 5

APPALLING EXPLOSION

ON REBEL WARSHIP CIVIL WAR IN SPAIN. Press Association Eloctiio 'TnlMfranh—Copyright LONDON, Saturday. In connection with the sinking by a Government aeroplane of the rebel battleship Espana, later details show that the bombing planes dropped seven very powerful missiles, two of which struck the Espana’s stern. There was a huge burst of smoke and an appalling explosion. The Espana slowly heaved up her bows and sank, hundreds of the crew flinging themselves into the sea. They were mostly school teachers and clerks, and were unable, through lack of experience, to launch boats, despite the calmness of the sea. The Government bombing planes, tlieir pilots flushed with success, followed up their achievement by seeking out the rebel cruiser Almirante Cervcra and bombing her, but they failed to hit the target. It is reported from Madrid that the Government destroyer Alsedo seized a rebel steamer off Gibraltar with “a cargo of 100 aero engines and 40,000 rounds of ammunition. BOMBS DROPPED ON BILBAO. LONDON, Sunday. A Bilbao message states that three insurgent planes, apparently of Italian manufacture, dropped two bombs on Bilbao and a third in a park, killing a boy of five. Others fell about the British destroyer Faulknor, anchored in the outer harbour. The British food-ship Stancourt has arrived. The Berlin news agency denies that German troops have been landed at San Sebastian. TWO BRITISH BATTLESHIPS. IN NORTHERN SPANISH AREA. LONDON, Saturday. The battleship Resolution, of 29,150 tons, with eight 15-inch guns, is to proceed to North Spanish waters, where she will relieve the cruiser Shropshire. When H.M.S. Resolution arrives off the north coast of Spain there will be for the first time two British battleships, 11.M.5. Resolution and 11.M.5. Royal Oak, in the northern Spanish area.