FIGHTING IN SPAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1938, Page 5

FIGHTING IN SPAIN

REBELS ENTER VALENCIA PROVINCE FOLLOWING ON TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT ENCIRCLING MOVEMENT PLANNED By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. SALAMANCA, July 23. After a terrifflc artillery bombardment the insurgents, advancing on two fronts, crossed the boundary of Valencia province. General Franco’s officers report severe Government losses. General Franco claims a nine-mile advance on Estremadura from Badajos province preparatory to meeting the rebel vanguard from the south. He then intends to encircle the large loyalist area, a Sargossa message says. The Valencia correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” on Friday said that the Italian artillery, which was concentrated on a front of 20 miles from Bejis to Benafer, supported by a crashing aerial bombardment, laid down the heaviest barrage of the present war in a furious attempt to smash the first defensive line protecting Valencia in preparation for a large-scale attack by tanks and infantry. Nevertheless the Royalists held firm. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. GENERAL FRANCO’S CLAIM. (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) SARAGOSSA, July 24. General Franco claims that the Estremadura offensive has been successful, resulting in the capture of Castuera. Many prisoners were taken. NONINTERVENTION PLAN ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT. LONDON, July 24. The Spanish Government has accepted the non-intervention plan for withdrawal of volunteers, subject to a few minor reservations.