FRANCO'S BIG PUSH IMMINENT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 43, 13 November 1937, Page 5

FRANCO'S BIG PUSH IMMINENT

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Struggle to tbe Death in Spam WHOLE FRONT IS ACTIVE

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(Received 13, 8.45 a.m.) BURGOS, Nov. 12. Seven hundred thousand Republicani and insurgents will be .locked in a struggle to the death in General Franco's great olfensive, Which is expected to begin at atty moment. _ General Franco will personally direct his forces. There is) coiisiderable activity along the whole hne from the Pyrenees to Toledo. The Republicans are carrying out raids with bombing planes and meclianised units. A message from Barcelona states that, while troo-ps at the front are digging trenches and fortifying their positions iii an cffort td stirvive the dark days which ar© looming, the Government announces the* appioihtment of a cbunCil to promdte physical cdlture afid sport throughout the» Republic. Valencia reports state that the Spanish Government is seeking an armistice. It is emphaticaily denied in Paris that Senor Juan March, General Franco ;s millionaire backer, is negotiating for the purchase of two Italian 1500ton destroyers for the insurgents. A Gibraltar message says that 1000 Moors and 300 Italians landed at Algeciras from Ceuta from an insurgent mail ship and immediately went to Malaga, where troops are reported to be massing for a surprise attack against Almeria. Saragossa reports that 10 Govern* ment bombers, diving from ah uhexpected direction, maue a surprise attack on Pamplona. There were many casualties. According to an insurgent communique, the bombei'S flew over Frenah territory to avoid anti-aireraft guns and patrol lahes on the Amgon front. Madfid reports: While the insurgents are resting befoi'e theiir great olfensive, the Republicans made a fiefce surprise attack ou the Aragon front and forced back the insurgents, who' rushed up Italiau and Moorish reinforcements. The Republicans retreated in an orderly manner, then again attacked aud captured several hiils.