CATALAN BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1938, Page 6

CATALAN BATTLE

HALF A MILLION MEN ENGAGED INSURGENTS BREAK THROUGH AT BALAGUER. POWERFUL MECHANISED ARMY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) : LONDON. December 29. There was again severe fighting in the big battle on the Catalan .front, in which it is estimated half a million.men are engaged. General Franco’s fiercest attack today centred around the strategic bridgehead of Balaguer, where, after a shattering artillery barrage,' the Nationalists overcame, concrete defences and by midday were advancing over the open country beyond Balaguer, tanks leading the infantry, which had previously charged and .wiped out machine-gun nests.

Progress was also made towards.Ar? tesa, while a drive in which a large force of Italians is participating continued on the southern sector.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Hendaye correspondent says General Franco’s mechanised army is slowly overcoming opposition, for machine-guns, anti-tank guns, rifles and hand grenades cannot indefinitely hold back tanks and armoured cars, supported by bombers and artillery. The inadequately trained Republican pilots are proving no match for the Italian and German aviators.

“The Times” Hendaye correspondent says it does not seem that General Franco’s attack has yet penetrated the main defences.