TRAGIC FLIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1938, Page 8

TRAGIC FLIGHT

SUFFERINGS OF REFUGEES x FROM SPAIN WOMEN AND CHILDREN STRUGGLE OVER MOUNTAINS. PASSES LITTERED WITH DEAD. By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. (Received This Day, 1.35 p.m. LUCHON (France), April 1. Dejected and famished women, some carrying babies a few months old and followed by ill-clad and half-starved children, are struggling to safety on French soil across the Pyrenees in one of the most tragic flights in history. The -track over which thousands, chiefly of the battered Republican troops, are passing, was made by means of skis by Spanish Pyrenees riflemen. Over ten thousand Republicans are reported to be cut off along the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Thousands are already marching to the frontier. It is amazing that so many have survived the crossing. of the mountain passes. Many completed the last stages on their hands and knees. Women, clasping babies, and throwing themselves at the feet of the French guards, implored food and refuge. The French authorities cannot hope to house and feed thousands in the mountain villages and have decided to distribute the refugees in the provinces. A number of aged people had frightful experiences in the snowbound passes. One hospital is accommodating five hundred who suffered frightfully. The soldiers of the Thirty-first Division, recounting stories of the hopeless plight (jictating their decision to flee from the ceaseless battering of Franco’s guns and planes, said resistance had crumbled before the onslaughts of well-equipped Italians, backed by hordes of planes. Two Republican shock brigades north of Huesca were wiped out The remainder were short of ammunition and had no planes and no artillery, when they decided to retreat to save themselves from annihilation. They were continually harrassed by pursuing planes. They told the' authorities the passes were littered with dead.

VAIN ATTACKS REBELS FAIL TO CAPTURE LERIDA. ADEQUATE SUPPORT PROMISED. (Received This Day, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Lerida correspondent says General Franco’s forces vainly attacked for four days. It is clear that if the Loyalists, who are promised an adequate support of men and munitions from Madrid, can hold the positions for twenty-four hours longer, they may save Lerida. The insurgents admit that the capture of Lerida may be indefinitely delayed.