SEVERE BATTLE

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 6

SEVERE BATTLE

4.30 O’CLOCK EDITION

ON THE CATALAN FRONT 600,000 MEN ENGAGED FRANCO'S FIERCEST ATTACK {United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 30, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29 There was again severe fighting J n a big battle on the Catalan front, in which it is estimated that 500,u00 men are engaged. General Franco’s fiercest attack today centred around the strategic bridgehead and Ealaguer, where, alter a shattering artillery barrage, the Nationalists overcame the concrete defences and by midday were advancing over the open country beyond Balaguer, tanks leading the infantry, whicn had previously charged and wiped out machine-gun nests. progress was also made towards Artesa, while a drive in which a large force of Italians is participating continued on the southern sector. The Hendaye correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, says that General Franco's merchanised army is slowly overcoming the opposition, for machine guns, anti-tank guns, rifles and hand grenades cannot indefinitely hold back tanks and armoured cars, supported by bombers and artillery. The inadequately-trained Republican pilots are proving no match for the Italian and German aviators. The Hendaye correspondent of the Times says it does not seem that General Franco’s attack has yet penetrated the main defences.