IN IRELAND. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

EIGHT LORRIES OF MILITARY

SURPRISED 'BY REPUBLICANS

LONDON,

March 21

Details of the fighting at Upton are filtering through slowly. It is difficult to obtain the real facts. All the dwellers in the vicinity are terrorstricken One eye-witness who fled from the district, "stated that eight military lorries of men left Brandon at three o’clock > n the morning. They were to conduct a search for Republicans. The military passed over a mined bridge, which was blown up, demolishing ’ three of the lorries. Practically none of the occupants escaped without some injury. Three drivers were killed and three of the soldiers 'fatally wounded. Simultaneously a

fire opened from many sides. The survivors put up a fight, pending the arrival of assistance. Th e explosions wer heard at Brandon and Ballincollig. The Sinn Feiners anticipated the despatch of reinforcements, and had arranged for a series of ambuscades Soon a large area was echoing with the sounds of battle. Ihe defenders resisted until the reinforcements arrived, thus preventing the capture of their aims and ammunition which was the! attacker’s main objective. The troops assumed the offensive and nearly surrounded the enemy. The Republicans sucoeeded in escaping into welknown but difficult country.

Tlie military overwhelmed their vanguard. which’ left six men dead, and a quantity of war material. Refugees state that many fires are now visible, being apparently from the surrounding farms. Troops and armoured cars have since been poured into the area. There were sporadic outbreaks in the vicinity of Cork After the fight some armed men attacked a patrol of eight police, at •night, wounding two. They were then routed by reinforcements with unknown losses. A murder gang shot four men in their houses, one being killed.

WEEK-END CA SUALTIES

LONDON, March 21

The casualties in Ireland during the week-end among the Crown Forces were 12 killed and 13 wounded. Of the Sinn Feiners, 13 were killed. Seven more were wounded.

incendiary FIRES. LONDON, March 21

Incendiary brick fires continue m England. Thirty-six stacks were destroyed near London during the weekend. On e arrest was made. The occupants of a suspected motor car fired revolvers at the police, and escaped.

WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS has stimulaU ing effect on the whole system. '