"Battalion of Carmens”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 30, 5 February 1937, Page 7

"Battalion of Carmens”

Women Warriors for Madrid Defences GERMAN WARSHIPS ASSOCIATED WITH REBELS. YJalUd Pt«rs Association—J3y EHoc trie Telegraph.—Copyrigh t. Received Thursday, 9.50 p.xn. MADRID, Feb. 3. The defence forces are organising a “battalion of Carmens,’ ■ consisting of women workers in cigar and cigarette factories to replace the wastage in the so-called “Amazon battalions. ’ ’ General Miaja has apparently fully superceded General Klebcr, former head of the International Brigade as commander of Madrid despite Kleber having been mainly Instrumental in repulsing earlier rebel attacks. The full strength of General Franco’s fleet, namely the cruisers Canarlas, Baleares and Almirante Cervera, is anchored in Algeciras Bay together with the Graf von Spee and the Karlsruhe. This is the first time German and Spanish vessels have been closely associated. The German warships subsequently proceeded eastward at full speed. BRITISH SHIPS BOMBED BRITAIN EXPECTED TO PROTEST LONDON, February 3. The captain has reported to the Admiralty thAt a Spanish ’plane dropped three bombs near the battleship Royal Oak, off Cartagena, on February 2nd. Britain it is expected will lodge a protest. A further report is awaited because it has not been stated whether it was an Insurgent or Government ’plane. It is reported at Gibraltar that the ’plane belonged to the Insurgents. f A Madrid message states that the Royal Oak incident apparently occurred in the course of great Government and rebel activity on the south toast of Spain. A Government ’plane bombed tne rebel cruiser Canareas, and later scored numerous hits on a concentration of rebel motor lorries at Marbella. Rebel seaplanes have attempted to bomb Bpanish merchantmen. The Delfin is aground following a submarine attack, but the Government planes drove them off. Rebel cruisers bombarded the coast, near Malaga, and returned to Algeciras, accompanied by the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee. ITALIANS AT CADIZ. CADIZ, February 3. A fresh contingent of Italians arc believed to have landed at Cadiz.