THE WAR IN SPAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 10

THE WAR IN SPAIN

RESULT OF SURPRISE

ATTACK

REBELS OUTFLANKED

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

craph—Copyright. ' (Received August 6, 2 p.m.)

MADRID, August 5. The victory at San Rafael Pass has given the loyalists possession of a highway running parallel to the Guadarrama Range and connecting Segovia and Valladolid with Madrid, and enabling them to cut off the rebel retreat from the northern slopes of the Navacerrada and Somosierra Passes from whence they were recently dislodged. A bitter conflict lasted, for four hours, no quarter being given or taken.

The loyalists, consisting largely or youths, delivered a surprise • attack, supported by aeroplanes, and outflanked and repulsed the insurgents, who rallied and counter-attacked, but were again defeated owing to their employment of cavalry from Salamanca against machine-guns on completely unfavourable ground.

The Government troops in the south seem to be holding their own, but the rebels are preparing a further advance to offset loyalist successes in the provinces of Granada and Cadiz.

The rebel city of Oviedo, in Northern Asturias, is in flames.

Members of the Popular Front have handed to the authorities £75,000, which was found at the Carabella Convent and in the bishop's palace at Alicante.