ADVANCE ON MALAGA

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 335, 16 January 1937, Page 5

ADVANCE ON MALAGA

REBELS GO FORWARD TONS OF BOMBS FALL Rebels Claim Capture Of Estepona. Press Association—Copyright. London, Jan. 10. Despite a Valencia commuriTque’s declaration that a landing at Estepona was repulsed the rebel authorities announce the capture of Estepona after all day fighting which began at 7.30 a.m. Commanded by General de Llano, who was aided by 31 aero, planes, two cruisers land smaller warships, 20,000 troops, comprising 5000 Italians, 500 Spaniards and 10,000 Moors began a combined air, land and sea offensive on Estepona preparatory to an attack on Malaga, which is 50 miles distant.

Estepona, which. Is a strategic point on the road between Laninnea and Malaga, had resisted all previous attacks and had been a formidable obstacle to earlier advances to Malaga. The thunder of guns land exploding bombs was heard all day at Gibraltar, where 15 bombtng planes, including ten Junkers, were visible flying >eastward and returning to Los Barrios aerodrome, outside Algeciras, t o reload. It is reported that twelve tons of bombs were dropped on Estepona, whilfe cruisers ously bombarded the town., Malaga was also bombed from the air. It is rumoured that insurgent cavalry are advancing from Esteporia and are approaching Marbella.

Twelve Government plan-es are reported to have bombed La Lmea as a reprisal 'for the bombing pf Malaga. One bomb fell near ,a Dutch cargo bessel, killing two dock labourers.