REPUBLICAN FLEET

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 395, 31 March 1937, Page 5

REPUBLICAN FLEET

OVERHAUL COMPLETED. OFFENSIVE ASSUMED. “Supremacy of the Sea and Air.” Press Association —Copyright. (Received 11.50 a.m.) Valencia, March 30. After many months of idleness, in which it has been overhauled, the reconstructed Republican Fleet has assumed the offensive. Besides shelling Malaga, Motril and Melilla, or> March 27, the fleet bombarded the port and military buildings of Iviza, where great damage is to be observed. The fleet also shelled the fortifications, seaplane base and radio station at Puerto de Soller, in the Balearic Isles. The Admiralty states: “We have now the supremacy of the sea as well as the air, and' the crews are all Spanish, including the officers. The Government have the battleship Jaime he cruisers Libertad and Cervantes, each of 9385 tons, the Mendez Uunez, of 6140 tons, and 17 destroyers.”

INTENSE BOMBARDMENT Rebel Aircraft Support Cruisers. Press Association—yepyriglit. (Received 1.30 p.m.) Gibraltar, March 30. Rebel aircraft, supporting the cruisers Balearies., Canarias, Almlrante and Cervera, carried out an intense bombardment of Castellon and Valencia, where they blew up the barracks, inflicting heavy losses of troops 1 , and destroyed two munition factories.