STOUT DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1938, Page 7

STOUT DEFENCE

AGAINST BETTER-EQUIPPED FORCES SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGE IM BARCELONA. NO DESIRE TO ABANDON STRUGGLE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, April 14. The resumption of General Franco's offensive, with surprise attacks on a front of 20 miles, in an attempt to reach the sea before Easter, has produced desperate fighting, but the Republicans still hold vital positions after flinging in shock brigades at threatened points.

Although the Nationalists claim to have advanced 61 miles alongside the road from Morelia, the Republicans for 16 hours resisted attacks on the town of Cali, between Morelia and San Mateo, where the survivors of an International Brigade of Austrian, German, and Polish Jews are fighting back to back against enemy thrusts from three directions with tanks, flamethrowers, and bombers. The Republicans recaptured La Granja, throwing back across the Segre River the Nationalist defenders, who were wiped out as they retreated across the only bridge. After losing positions near Balaguer, the Republicans, launched five attacks, supported by tanks, artillary, and aeroplanes, in an attempt to recapture a bridgehead, but failed. The rebels claim to have broken up two divisions of Nationalists which were pressing on in the neighbourhood of the Pyrenees and to have captured 30 villages in 48 hours. The Barcelona correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” emphasises the remarkable feat of the Republicans’ defence despite the insurgents’ superiority in materials, notably at Tortosa, where General Franco's troops were brought to a standstill for a fortnight. He expresses the opinion that the war may continue for many months yet. The Republicans have mobilised 150,000 reservists, but there is a shortage of food.

At Barcelona ration cards for frozen meat have been issued, but there is no evidence of desire to abandon the struggle.